I hadn't intended to make this a continuing arc, but here it is. More of "The Sky". - I was by the fire. Having just had the best coma-like sleep of my life, I sent my wind magic to do its thing and settled by the fire. I wasn't cold, but it felt nice to just be there. "Sky?" North called. I jumped a little before realizing he wasn't angry. He sounded so unusually upset all the time and I couldn't figure out why that bothered me so much. I loved the way he put so much of himself and his spirit into everything he did. "In here!" I called. I hadn't expected to be able to stay just because I had poped in one day and they had been civil. North, however, had insisted that she make herself at home. "Ah, there you are." He navigated through the large room to sit next to her in another armchair that was close. "I've been meaning to ask you, do you have somewhere you like to stay, because I want to offer you a place here. You're more than welcome to stay." He offered. I sat in stunned silence. What could I say? "I...thank you..." I spat out after a second. I was breathless. What had I ever done for him? "You're very welcome." He smiled so wide you might think he would burst. Watching me fiddle with my hands in my lap must have given him an idea of how unusual this was. All of it. Not to mention I'm sure my face was a million shades of bright red. He chuckled softly. "So. I have something to show you." He leaned forward trying to catch my eye. When I looked up in surprise he chuckled a bit and stood. "Come. Is good thing." He added. "Did I look worried?" I joked. Unfortunately I knew the answer. "Yes." He put a hand on my shoulder much lighter than I thought should be possible. "Is okay. Here, you are safe." He moved on to walk beside her. We walked down two halls and into a round open area. This open area contained rooms containing the silhouette of every guardian. "These are rooms for each of us, mine, and theirs. When they want, they can stay here at the pole. It is second home to most, but they are welcome. We are all family." He paused long enough to turn to me and catch my eye. "We want to offer you a place in our family, If you'll have us." He smiled. I was stunned into silence for the second or third time since waking up here. That is, if you count jumping out of my skin when he came looking for me. I looked at the beautiful common area, then back at the wonderful man beside me, and back. This happened a few times but when I settled back on him something in me broke down. My heart stopped. A family? I couldn't fathom it. I had been hoping for something like this since I had been reborn a spirit. I felt my eyes grow impossibly large and I knew they were glistening. My arms folded I looked up, and I do mean up, at North with what I imagine he saw as hope mixed with fear and pain. "I...y-you mean...?" I was confused, a mess. He grinned a little larger. With one hand lightly behind one of my shoulders he turned me around. "Yes." He nodded. "We're happy to be the family you deserve." He led me up to the door and pushed it open. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Books on every wall, a desk for writing and carving. There were low-lights that could be used on bright or dim that looked exactly like stars. One whole wall was a picture window and the beautiful blue/white/black bed was the window seat. The walls were painted in flowing ornate patterns that roundabout resembled people, places, things. Music notes and songbirds could be seen in the patterns because everything floats on the wind. I turned slowly to look back at him, like some part of my heart and mind desperately wanted this to be real, and at the same time figured he was going to be joking. From the way his face softened from excitement to concern he didn't like what he saw in me. "It's for you." He nodded, "All yours." I won't lie, at this point my inner little girl exploded out of me right there. I couldn't remember anyone ever giving me anything. My hand went over my mouth and my other one around my waist. "Ohmygosh Thank you! It's...it's so beautiful." I was at a total loss. "How do I.." I didn't know exactly what I wanted to ask, but apparently North did. He opened his arms a bit and I flew into them. Basically with a running leap he got a bear hug. "Thank you." I had to say at least once more. He let me go with a boisterous laugh and explained this and that to me. The bookshelf was Jack's input, the lights were all Sandy. There was a bit of arrangement from Tooth, he made the trinkets and carving equipment and Bunny had painted the walls. I soaked it in but couldn't piece one thing together. "So...how did this get done in one night?" I asked in awe. The Russian stopped in his tracks and laughed so loud I thought he would hurt himself leaning back. "How long did you think you were asleep?" He barely got out while taking a breath. "Because it was not one night." He finished. I let him settle a moment before asking the obvious question. "How long was I asleep for then?" He shook his head. "A week and a half." He informed me. Apparently they had plenty of time to take a day off in the middle and have breakfast, lunch and dinner together in the process. I was impressed. "Well, at least that shouldn't happen again here. I won't be missing weeks of sleep anymore." I chuckled. He shook his head. "Sandy wasn't too pleased about that. He's got his eye on you now." he teased. I put my hands up in defeat. "I'm not arguing. It wasn't my idea." I defended. "Besides, he has children to worry about." I floated beside him on his way out. We made it all the way out to the main workshop before a snowflake landed softly on North's nose and a snowball came from behind us. I ducked in time to dodge the hit and the race was on. Laughter ensued. We were at this until long after dinner time and went our separate ways. North had some work to do and Jack went to make winter in the more northern places. I went back to my new room. Settling down in my first bed I could remember having I decided to make sure Sandy wouldn't feel the need to put me out for another week. As soon as my light was out a golden trail of dream-sand made its way into my room and I was left to dream peacefully of fun, friends and home.