The ground was covered in a light blanket of frost white, turning everything into a magical and enchanting wonderland. The chill in the air made it even better and Harmony adored it. Pacing through the grounds outside dressed in the fitting attire for the weather. Layed up almost, but still looking adorable. Her mitten hands scoop up a bit of snow and tosses it above her, allowing it to sprinkle down all around her. With a bubbly face. Growing even more from the crunch of snow under her boots with each step. Casting her eyes back at her footsteps she's made. And decides to make more singing her favorite song with each hop.

"Hickory Dickory Dock," she starts with giggles. "the mouse ran up the clock, the struck one and mouse ran down-"

"Hickory, Dickory, Dock. Oh, my dearest Harmony what a lovely voice."

A familiar voice warm-hearted and mild voice spoke. Harmony to stop mid-stride in her tracks and turns around tentatively gasping at who stood before her, with a light smile on and soft eyes filled with love looking back. They were just as Harmony remembered, color and all. A color that was so bright always warmed Harmony no matter what. It brought a smile every single time she saw it, thought of it, smelled it. It was always there to hold her and most importantly...love her. Her heart felt whole again, seeing them. Tears of joy begin to build that she tried to hold back biting her lip, but it would not be settled. Rejoiced, she rushes straight into their arms. Not caring if her feet crossed in front of one another, throwing herself into their body, felt their arms wrap around her just as they always did secure and safe. And their touch...their touch was the same.

Soft and sweet.

Just as their scent...their scent...inhaling it eased her racing heart and mind. Settling her tears that soon where wiped away and tender kiss on top her head.

Their hand soothing strokes her hair affectionately. "You have grown, my dearest Harmony. Just look at you. Brings me joy beyond words. Oh, my sweet little Harmony. Has the world been good?"

"Yes." Harmony mutters nodding. "I've missed you. Where are you?" Her words choke filling with tears.

No words came except a heavy sigh, the words were on their lips wanting to be spoken so badly. This child...they deserved to know. Her heart bled for them, their eyes saw it just how much their absence affected her. It all flushed on her face, anger mixed with relief. In their hold. The last thing they would want to do was hurt her in any way.

"...I have been gone for some time, I did not mean for it to hurt you so much. My dear. It is the last thing I would want to do to you." Their words healed the internal wounds Harmony had. Just hearing that was enough. Squeezes them more. Burying her face in them further. "Come." They take her hands in merriment. And smile. Spins her around in the snow, laughing. "Do you remember? How much we did this?"

Spinning with them, Harmony nods delighted. "Yes. I do. Faster. Faster!"

As commanded they spin her faster and faster. The two of them dance in the magic of snow. Leaving footprints and trails. Kicking up snow. Soon turned into running side by side. It was just as Harmony remembered, it was what she longed to do again. And here it was now, happening. Hand in hand. Never to let go.

Just her and Auntie Red.

They ran and ran, it didn't matter how far they went. It was just the two of them. Everything else was behind. In one scoop Madam Red lifts her up in high in her arms. Smiles on spread across their faces. Madam Red never took her eyes off Harmony who stretched her arms high to the sky.

"Auntie Red, look! Look I'm so tall!" she squeals. "I can see everything!"

"I am sure you can." She brings her back down settling her on the ground. "So fearless, you are my dearest Harmony." She strokes her cheeks lightly. With a mild smile. "Such a precious little one you are."

Harmony holds hand when she remembers everything. "I forgot to tell you! We live with Ciel now! Me and May, in a big, big house. Bigger than before and everyone is so nice and kind. And I have pretty dresses all the time and...we should go and tell Ciel you're back! May too! They will be so happy! Come on!"

She pulls her only to have her grip slip out. Looking at her hand confused for a bit, goes back and grabs Madam Red's hand and does the same thing. Only for the same result as before.

"Auntie Red? Why aren't you coming?"

A question, a good question that Madam Red could only smile for an answer. Lowering her gaze takes small steps to the child, and reaches out a hand tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. Leans in touching foreheads lightly. The wind blew gently between them.

Not understand and becoming scared, Harmony stood there trying to find an answer in the woman's red eyes. Only able to ask a question. "Will you come back, Auntie Red?"

Standing up poised Madam Red holds out a hand instead for her. "Or, you can come with me? My dearest mouse."

Her words like silk ribbon beautiful and colorful, it would be wonderful. Reaching out Harmony hand's looms over Madam Red's stopping when she's a faint voice calling her. Looking for her.

"...Hmmm..." she turns around finding nothing but the echo of the voice calling her. "...Auntie Red, I think that's-"she turns around finding no one there. "Auntie Red? Auntie Red where are you?"

She calls searching seeing nothing but white. Picking up her dress runs anxiously through, following the footprints. "Auntie Red! Auntie Red? Where are you? Auntie Re-Ah!" She suddenly trips and falls. It was hard, holding back her tears looking around. With hung head, squeezes her eyes shut. "Auntie Red, where did you go?"

Rolling over in her bed, opening her eyes slightly Harmony finds herself no longer in the snow, but confinement of her bed and room. In the manor. Slowly she sits up still under sleep's spell rubbing her eyes with a small yawn. Unaware of the presence in her room standing idly by watching her. Till they decide to take a closer look, walking lightly over to the unexpecting girl reaches out a dark covetous hand towards her and plucks a strand of hair instead. Tucking it away leans behind her whispering inducing words that put her back into her slumber.

Her eyes, head, and body fall back to be quickly caught carefully by a hand, that slowly scoops her up in their arms. Rocking the small body slowly, lightly touching face. "Oh, no more tears, my precious mouse." Using their sleeve of their black robe wipes her night tears. "No more my little mouse." They whisper sweetly with a low creepy giggle. Stopping feeling her move just a bit. "Oh, I'm sorry." They rock her again and stand.

Cradling her body as they walk around the room, so this was the life she was going to be living now? Not like the one she was supposed to have. It still amazed them on the knowledge they knew about Harmony and her...dear older sister. It was beyond what they expected, then again it made sense. Their eyes remained on pleasantly on Harmony. They could see why she was precious, considering her soul was saved...miraculously.

Walking to the balcony they open it stepping out. Feeling the fresh chilling air blow through their long gray hair. Nearly forgot about Harmony uses some of their robe and wraps her more. Protecting her from the chill. "I could take you right now, yes, I could..but it is too soon. You came here to enjoy a new life and life you shall. For innocence," they walk back inside and lay back in bed. Covering her. "should bloom first before it extracted. My precious little mouse. Do enjoy your party." Give her a parting kiss and leave.

Harmony! Someone's with her, their presence choked you awake. It was strong and foreboding. Throwing your covers off and spring from the comfort of your bed and room. Ignoring the shooting pain through your body, each step felt like a sharp knife ripping at you. Let it hurt, let it bleed you didn't care. All that mattered was Harmony.

Did they take her? What? Who were they? Why was Harmony so far away from you? Pounding hard through the halls your heart beats raced faster than normal, you could feel your blood pulsating through you ready to burst. Reaching out a hand open the door bursting in. "Harm-" You halt holding your breath, clasping a hand over your mouth grip the handle tightly to stop yourself from shaking.

Taking a deep breath swallow hard and hurry to her bedside. Stroking her head lightly, she was alright. There was nothing wrong. She was still here. No one took her from you, no did. Relieved you fall to your knees and hold her tenderly in your arms. You had to finish your lessons soon with Francis, so you could return back...back to the manor. It was one of few safe places she would be, here...she wasn't. And you being so far from her, can't protect her.

She slept so peacefully, without a single care in the world. Giving her another squeeze stand and carefully look around the room. Their presence you could..could still feel it faintly. It still lingered with it inky stench, smelling of corpses and death. From what you could tell. Looking around you see nothing, still, you felt the threat. Going to the balcony open it and look out across the grounds. It was a chilly night, the stars light up the sky like lights. It was beautiful. Walking to the edge give one last look and go back inside. Shutting the doors behind you.

Down below stepping from the shadows they step looking up at the empty balcony. Their test went as expected, tamed? They scoff, so they thought. There was no doubt she was tamed or neutered if she was able to come so quickly. From the other side of the manor, now...they wondered if they would do it? Eagerly waiting to be disappointed, nothing came.

Their smile dropped, maybe another test would need to be given to see what needed. Taking out the strand of hair from before hold delicately between their fingers. Admiring it. "My sweet, sweet mouse."