Alther had pondered Appearing to many different people, at many different times. The first time he had visited Silas, for example, and seen the baby girl with dark hair and violet eyes, he had wanted to hug the kind father and tell him of his baby Princess. The time Alice had sat crying in the warehouse over him, Alther had wanted to be able to hug her, to hold her close and whisper that he was there, he was not gone forever, but he knew that even visible, they would not be able to touch.
It was hardest to see Marcia, yet Alther spent much of his time with her, offering a hopefully comforting presence, watching his adopted daughter (yes, he knew it wasn't official, no, he did not care one bit.) He was so proud of how she had risen to the occasion, had assumed command with intelligence and wit, and kept the Wizard Tower together.
He watched as the Custodian guards took charge of his beloved castle, ruining all the good Alther had worked hard to create in the wake of DomDaniel. He watched the young army boys go through so much, and tried to Project good feelings to them whenever possible. It might not have actually worked, but Alther felt like he was doing something. It was enough.
Well, no, It wasn't enough, but it was all he could do, and he hated that helplessness. He wanted to Appear, to be able to provide tangible comfort to someone who was struggling. To Silas, who was working himself to the bone to feed his family, to Alice, who, although doing much better, he still had to watch mourn. To those Young Army boys, especially the one who's friend had gone over the edge of the boat and had never been the same since. Alther had followed the boy who fell, and he was fine, but the poor blond child didn't know that. Alther longed to Appear to Marcia, his diligent successor, who was working so hard and nearly isolating herself in the process.
He spoke to other ghosts on occasion, and while they were mostly very dry, a few of the more fun-loving ones had taught him to affect things. Alther used this only on occasion, as it was draining, very draining.
But he also enjoyed how Marcia, never quite done grieving, but much better now, lit up when he set her breakfast going. Sometimes she would thank him, and he would send her a warm breeze, which he had learned to do through careful practice, and sent the young army children often. He followed them on their horrible exercises and kept the children as warm and happy as he could. He knew he shouldn't play favorites, but the boy who lost his friend was so sweet, and reminded him happily of Silas, with his eager acceptance of knowledge and occasional quiet defiance, although both were dimmed from years of mistreatment by the Young Army.
Alther liked blowing photo albums to his favorite pictures, which never seemed to stop making Alice and Silas alike smile. He loved teasing the little Princess, who Silas and Sarah had named Jenna. It was a much better name than Mathilda, and Alther was glad for that. He amused the other young Heaps as well, and turned Simon's books to the correct page when he struggled.
Alther enjoyed the looks of amusement on their faces, and the Heap children had started to call him Grandpa Ghost when they noticed it wasn't just the wind. Alther was happy, and his family was happy too. He had no reason to Appear.
Until they weren't.
Alther accompanied his family, minus Alice, who was at the Docks, (Thank goodness) to Zelda Heap's cottage. He was nervous, and he did everything he could for them. It wasn't much, but he kept the fire going as long as possible and tried to comfort his family the best he could. Zelda had noticed him, and as soon as she mentioned it, the Heap Children, and eventually the young army boy (who turned out to be a Heap child too, and Alther really should have expected that), all started chatting with Grandpa Ghost again. He responded by fanning the flames, or passing through them, which always made Jenna giggle. But Alther did not appear. He would have had to choose one, and that would be unfair.
He also watched Marcia, and when she decided to use the Midnight Minutes, he went ahead to wait for her. When he saw the guards waiting, Alther turned to flee back, determined to Appear and save his child. But then Marcia Transported, and she was captured.
Deep in Dungeon Number One, where Marcia sat shivering, Alther sent breaths of warmth her way, and debated his options.
When Marcia started crying softly, something she had not done in years, Alther Appeared.
Notes: Thanks for reading! This is done for good now, I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know what you thought! What was your favorite part?