Harriette was once again the last child in the daycare. It was a little earlier then expected. Both Sun and Moon were both relieved to be free of the chaos of the day. Sun and Harriette stood side by side seeing the last child off, Sun crouched so that she could hold his hand. Once again Emelia was the last child to leave. Mayla had been a close second since arriving but she wouldn't be there for the rest of the week due to special circumstances. Mayla had hugged Harriette tightly when she'd left. When Mayla had said she'd have to leave early today, Harriette had cried for a little while. Then insisted on drawing her and Emelia and Genni. She wanted a drawing of Mayla alone and then a drawing of the three of them together. They'd wanted Harriette to add herself in as well. She'd also drawn a picture of Katie and Katrina and Matty with them all together. Since it was likely she'd never actually get to see them all in one place again. Genni promised to come back, not wanting to miss out on her chance of seeing Harriette off. Mayla had cried them too. It had taken a lot of consoling to get the girl somewhat calm. Nova promised to bring her back on Thursday to at least have a chance for one last good-bye. Harriette had waved them off with enthusiasm and well wishes. Sun's heart would have broken when she'd told him she didn't think that Nova would actually bring her by again. Genni and Katie had left long before Mayla. The quiet of the daycare as the doors closed behind Emelia was a relief and a heartbreak all in one. Sun was exhausted, beyond exhausted really.
Moony, Sun whined.
I've got it Sunshine, just let Harrriette know, was Moons answer.
"Moon and I are going to switch, okay?" Sun asked.
"Yeah, you must be super tired, have a good sleep Mr. Sun," Harriette said, waving good-by. Sun wanted to squeal.
She's too cute! Sun insisted. Sun had thought himself immune to cute children before meeting Harriette. She was such a sweet kid though. Even when being a brat she was still thinking about Sun and Moon getting into trouble.
Moon stretched one arm over his head turning to the tiny girl next to him. She hadn't let go of their hand while they switched. She smiled up at him
"Hello, Mr. Moon," She said, smile wide and eyes gentle. Sun was right, this girl was too cute.
"Up?" He asked. Her mouth dropped open and eyes widened at the question. She nodded hesitantly. Moon Crouching down to open his arms for her, letting her decide how quickly she'd accept the offer. She took it with zero hesitation. She was snuggled into the ruffles on Sun and Moon's costume before Moon was even able to fully settle. He lifted her nearly as quickly, and she had the nerve to giggle. The tiny sound was muffled, but still delighted, it put bells to shame with how sweet it sounded. Moon cuddled her for a moment. There was still a little time before Harriette needed to be heading to sleep. Moon settled her on his hip looking her over thoughtfully. She tilted her head at him, partially resting it on his arm, a little smile on her face.
"So, let's see, where were you and Sun on the spider booklet?" Moon watched as her smile grew bigger. Harriette explained how the spider booklet worked as Moon helped her get ready for bed. When she'd asked. He said it was wind down time and it was a lot of work and effort to get her ready. Nova had brought a few extra pieces of clothing for Harriette to choose from, and Sun had received instruction from the Network not to allow the Sleepover attendee to leave the daycare till their stay was over, which was a request from one of the guardians. Sun was pretty happy about following that order, and Moon was definitely in agreement. Harriette was tucked under his chin while he explained the spider they were talking about and where certain details should go. When Harriette yawned it was about time Moon would have wanted to start leading her toward be anyway.
"We have a big and busy day tomorrow, Harriette," Moon said. Harriette picked out the blanket and pillow she'd use. The same ones she'd chosen last night. She set up her sleeping mat with her plushies and her own baby blanket from her backpack. Moon had headed over to grab another blanket and pillow from the shelves so that she'd be extra comfy. When he came back he noticed that she was hiding under the blanket, wiggling but a tiny giggle told him it wasn't cause she was scared.
"Oh," Moon said. "Uh-oh, where did Harriette go?" Moon said, a little giggle telling him that this was exactly the right way to play. "Sneaky-sneaky little one, wondering off all alone. I'll have to find her quickly. Yes indeed." Another giggle and a wiggle from the blanket. "And I'd worked so hard to make the bed comfy for her." He settled. "Harriette, oh Harriette, where did you go." He'd placed the pillow and blanket down and was about the snatch her up for a little tickling, that tended to be how the kids liked to play this game, instead Harriette popped out.
"Boo!" She said, a giggle bursting out and a knowing smile on her face. Moon was surprised, he hadn't expected her to do that. And it became even sillier when she added. "I knew you knew where I was." The knowing tone she used while wrapping the blanket around herself, the little sparkle in her eye. It was all too much, and Moon started his own fit of giggles.
"Then why," he had to pause to laugh, he may not need to breath but his voice box could only make one sound at a time. "Then why did you try to scare me?"
"I wasn't trying to scare you," The offense in the child's voice, was too precious. Moon giggled some more. "I wasn't." Harriette insisted, a little fear leaking into her voice.
"Okay, okay," Moon said, trying to control his giggles. "I know, but why did you go boo." She titled her head confusion written on her face.
"I saw Aunt Petunia do it with Dudley once?" She said, "Petunia and Dudley had thought it was fun." She said, shifting, she started picking at something invisible on the blanket. Eyes focused on it while she shrugged. "I thought you'd like to play." Moon's heartbroke a little at that.
"Ah, well, thank you," Moon said. "I've never gotten to play either." He said. It wasn't one hundred percent true, but it wasn't exactly a lie. It was sweet that Harriette wanted to share something she'd thought looked fun with him. Harriette looked up at him, skeptically. "No one's ever tried to do something because they thought I'd find it fun." Moon said, ruffling the girl's hair. She seemed to like that. Relaxing into the touch. She smiled.
"That's sad," She said.
"Yeah," Moon said. "But you learn to live with it." He shrugged. "Now, let's get you tucked in." Harriette nodded, smiling again. She settled in and watched as Moon tucked her in, snuggling into the extra pillow he'd grabbed for her.
"I've never had one pillow before last night," Harriette admitted. "Now I have two." She took Moon's hand and laid down. "Thank you, Mr. Moon."
"It's my pleasure," Moon assured. Brushing bits of the girl's hair from her face.
Moon had been doing a quick camera scan of the pizzaplex when sobs pulled him from code and cameras to his own body. Moon had gotten up and moved away from Harriette. He'd gone to his charging station, he'd cleaned the play structures. He'd wanted to be able to do scan the Network without the risk of his fans waking the girl up. Instead he found her in a curled up heap, trying to clean up a wet spot on the bedding.
"Oh, Harriette, it's alright," Moon said, comfortingly. Taking the thing she'd been using to try and clean. Her own baby blanket. She sobbed. "Oh, oh, don't worry. I'll put all this in the wash 'kay?" Harriette looked up at him with the widest saddest eyes. Then burst into tears. Moon had never hated anyone as much as he hated the people responsible for making this girl so scared.
"I'm sorry," She whimpered.
"Shshsh, I'm not mad, accidents happen," Moon answered. Over and over for several minutes till Harriette was calm enough to actually get cleaned up. She was wet all over too.
Once she was calmed down enough, Moon picked her up and carefully carried her to the showers. He grabbing the supplies on the way. Once there he helped Harriette free herself from the wet and dirty clothes. Harriette just spent a few minutes curled up under the stream.
"I'm sorry," Harriette said again.
"Accidents happen," Moon said. "What'd you dream 'bout to have that happen?" Harriette's face turned red, and crinkled up clearly trying not to cry again. "You don't have to say if you're not comfortable." Harriette shook her head.
"I dreamt about my parents," Harriette said, burying her head into her knees. She let out another sob. "They were all blurry but I could tell it was them, y'know?"
"Yeah," Moon said.
"They were angry, cause I did- I did something bad," Harriette said. "I don't remember what it was, but they were yelling. And then they tried to hurt me, and -" She paused for a moment, it was clear that she decided to skip something. "But I tried to run away, but I got stuck, and the ground tried to swallow me up. Then I was trapped in a cage and people were pointing at me and laughing." She made a face at that. "But I didn't care enough so the circus manager decided to hurt me." Her face got even more scrunched up. "It was stupid!"
"It wasn't stupid," Moon said. "It sounded awful." Moon said.
"I mean Ver-Uncle Vernon did say he wanted to sell me to a circus." Harriette said. She sniffled. She leaned against Moon. "I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault and it's not a problem," Moon said. "I'm happy to take care of you for as long as you are here. Understand?" Harriette made a face that scrunched into a teary waterfall. Moon held her until she was calmed down.
Moon helped Harriette get cleaned up, dressed and combed her hair again. Harriette didn't want to be alone so he took her to the closest laundry room. The theater had a small one for the costumes, from back when people still did performances. Moon set an internal time and decided a small flight low to the ground might cheer the downcast girl up.
"Wanna go for a flight?" Moon asked.
"Won't you get in trouble?" Harriette said.
"I'll just get rid of the evidence," Moon said, booping her nose. She made her surprised face, then smiled. So, Moon picked her up and they did a small flight. She giggled, joy bubbling out of her. Moon decided that he'd break whatever rule he needed to to make this little girl happy.
Once they were back in the daycare, and set up a new mat out and settled her under the bedding. Moon curled around her like an over sized cat and she cuddled into his chest. He read one of the many fairytales that he had on his hard drive. Harriette asked questions about certain things that she didn't get, but quickly settled into a doze, then further into sleep. Moon kept reading, rubbing her back and head to sooth her.
