Harriette had decided to sleep most the day, sending a message to her friends letting them know she was okay. She told Todd what she was planning to do. He'd sent her a message asking her to let him know when she was up and heading out. Harriette took one of the moondrops she had and slept for most the day, waking only for dinner. She didn't want to worry her restaurant friends again. She was worried about what would happen if they asked about her, or reported her missing. She wasn't sure that they could but she didn't want to risk it. Marnie had gotten another order she couldn't eat this time it was just too much. She offered a good chunk to Harriette and the other restaurant's employees; they'd both gone away with a good arm load. Harriette was glad, she wanted to hav plenty of fuel for tonight's exploration.
When she got back home she shared her meal with the racoons she couldn't exactly store it safely and they were nice to her. They had kits too. She knew that you technically weren't supposed to feed wild animals but she figured that was because most people couldn't explain that their hunting wouldn't always go so well so they shouldn't expect it all the time, plus she wasn't technically part of their nursery. She was just being human neighborly.
Once the food was eaten Harriette went back to her own den for a while. She read, while eating one of her sundrops. Not just tasting it a little. She didn't want to risk falling asleep.
When the time came she got dressed, and ready. She checked the security cameras and then headed up toward the basement levels. She met Todd down in the garage and he handed her a flashlight. A real flashlight. He also handed her another security pass.
"What?"
'Your hand light needs batteries and can't reach as far into the dark,' Todd told her. 'The security pass is to help get you through more of the doors around the plex, it won't work on every door, but you'll probably find upgrades at any old security station if you know what to look for.' He tilted his head quickly, not in a jerky way but like he was… Oh! Was he winking at her.
"Okay, thanks," Harriette said. "I- I really appreciate this, all your - your guys help." Todd nodded, patting her head and she was off.
She was carrying the duffle bag, It only had her dirty clothes in it. Her pocket multi-tool, which had a screwdriver in it was in her coat pocket. She'd have to put her coat and baby blanket in too since she'd probably gotten snot on at least one of them. She'd keep the tool on her. She didn't want, nor need, to get sick all over again.
She watched the security cameras, hid from security bots and the one human staff member, and headed down to the connected space that had everything she needed. She worried about what she was going to do for soap for a moment before noticing that there was in fact laundry soad on a shelf, after a bit of a climb she'd gotten her laundry in, and started it.
Then she'd headed back to the showers. Maybe there would also be… Ah! Yup, it was just in a hand pump but Harriette figured that was better than nothing. She put her watch and mult-tool to the side in the plastic baggy that used to hold the fruit. She bathed quickly, she wasn't comfortable wondering around naked though so she just waited in the showers till she was sure her clothes were done. Then headed back out. She borrowed one of the company towels. She felt bad for using so much of their stuff, but she had to. And she figured that maybe they deserved it if they let bad people do bad things to kids on their property. They were supposed to look after kids. Though so were parents and so were her aunt and uncle. So were teachers, and doctors and… Harriette shook her head. She was not going to get sucked into her own head. She had more important things to worry about.
She dressed, happy to be clean and in clean clothes. She made her way to the lost and found next, careful to not be spotted. The more clothes she had the less amounts of trips she had to take to the laundry room. Plus there might be other useful things there.
She had expected the room to be different. Not sure what different meant, but this was definitely not it. Everything was mostly thrown together in a huge pile on the floor. Weird. She was able to find a few articles of clothing, mostly shirts. That was fine, you could wear pants and shorts way longer then shirts anyway, as long as she was careful. She found a sweater too!
She wasn't particularly picky about the size of the clothing as long as they were too small she could grow into them. She was used to wearing clothes that were too big. It didn't matter to her much. But she didn't want to take anything she thought someone might come back for. So she went for the stuff closer to the bottom, stuff she hoped nobody would miss. She carefully replied everything back up once she'd collected the items she could use.
Harriette decided to look through the stores, she'd learned there were lots of different freebies lying around the pizzaple. She'd been ignoring them, not wanting to risk it if she had to run away, but she'd decided that they were going to have to burn the building down to get rid of her. This might not be her home, but it was where her den was, where her friends were, where Mr. Sun and Mr. Moon wh-. Harriette shook that thought out of her head. She was at the first shop. She needed to focus.
She snuck into the shop. She looked around the store noting all the clothes, and snacks. She was tempted by the candy, the clothes, the toys. Everything was so bright, so pretty, so nice. Harriette shook her head and trudged forward. She was a freak, freaks didn't deserve nice things. Harriette didn't deserve nice things. She spotted the box marked off as the free gift, and sighed. She didn't see why she shouldn't take something they were giving away, even if she didn't deserve nice things she still wanted them, and nobody was there to stop her. So she was going to let herself be just a little bit selfish. She took the handle of the box and started turning it, well she turned it about a centimeter then flinched away like it had burned her.
It makes noise! Harriette checked the cameras. Nobody was even nearby. She was fine. Nobody would hear her. I should leave! Harriette thought, but the guard was on the other side of the plex. She took a deep breath and pulled her duffle bag further onto her shoulder. She was fine. She had to be able to do these things. Do I? Yes! I need to be able to live my life here. I need to be able to act normal I need- I want decorate my den. She shrugged her duffle bag tighter on her shoulder. She started turning the crank. It turned and it turned and it turned, it turned long enough for Harriette to wonder if maybe it was a bad idea to be- POP! Harriette flinched so hard she knocked herself down. She started a moment before standing up and dusting herself off. Nervously she looked at the item that had sprung forth. It was a froggy magnet. Kind of weird, but kind of cute too. She picked it up. It probably would stick to her 'homes' walls. She was putting it in her pocket when she heard someone shouting.
"Hey! She turned around, seeing the security guard standing there. How had he gotten there so fast. She ran around the aisle slipping under a weird stand just before he rushed around the corner of the aisle and would have seen her. The guard rushed past her hiding spot and she slipped out and back the way he'd come from and out the door. She made it out and weaved into one of the other halls. "Come back here you little-!" The man shouted. Harriette dived around obstacles and around corners. Using her freak powers to make it harder for him to follow. She ducked through bathrooms and around barriers. She got far enough ahead of him that she was able to duck into one of the other tightly packed displays.. She covered her mouth, holding it despite her heart pounding in her chest. She stayed there for several minutes. Waiting till she could no longer hear his footsteps over the sound of the air cooling system. Then she waited a little longer, tears pricking her eyes.
She's almost got caught for a frog magnet. She should have known better. She doesnt' deserve nice things. She doesn't deserve happiness. She's a waste of space and a nasty gross freak, and she doesn't deserve to be safe, and now she never will 'cause she got greedy. She forced her tears down and looked through the camera's he was far enough away. She peaked out to see what she could used to try and get away. She saw a vent across the large, cavernous hall. It didn't have a vent cover. She tucked her bag further into her hiding spot. She'd have to come back for it in the daytime. If she even could. It was too full.
She sprung free of her hiding spot. She didn't stop running till she'd dived into the ven, squirming around corners till she was sure the guard couldn't find her. Checked her location and the cameras. Vision blurring and tears messing up her glasses. She wiped them away forcefully over and over and over, but they kept coming.
So stupid. Greedy, stupid, worthless freak, vile, ugly, wicked, nasty worthless, selfish, stupid, greedy, greedy, greedy, greedy.
Moon was just about finished with his second patrol when Mike came running up to him. He was out of breath so it took him a moment to actually be able to speak, and when he did it was way too loud..
"Somebody broke into the plex!" Mike shouted
"Huh? Seriously, it's probably a racoon again Mike," Moon calmly
"It's not, I saw some (British insult) kid stealing one of the free gifts!"
"Stealing. One of. The free. Gifts." Moon said slowly.
"Yeah!" Mike shouted.
"Fine, I'll check the security cameras," Moon groaned.
Harriette made it back to her hiding spot in the dump, she was down all her clothes. Her baby blanket was in the bag too. She'd have to go back for it later. If she was even able too. They might increase security. What if they realized her friends were helping her. She was so stupid. She'd lost her clothes and her 'home' in one go. Now all she had was what she'd kept in her backpack and on her back. She might have to leave too. She should have just stopped… she'd checked the cameras though. She'd been so smart. She'd avoided the cameras. She'd done everything right.
She scrubbed her face in frustration. Looking around her little den. She'd worked so hard to make it something. It wasn't much, but it was hers! She'd made little flowers to decorate the walls. She'd set up her plushies, and her backpack in the back, and coat. Her hand light she'd found a way to stick it to the ceiling. Her toys and collection lined up on one wall. Proudly displayed for the first time in her life. She'd worked so hard to make this place feel like…. Like something. She couldn't really think of the word right now. She needed to pack. Instead her hands wandered into her pocket and she felt the frog magnet.
Harriette pulled the frog magnet out of her pocket to look at it. She felt her face scrunch up. Tears sprung to her eyes again, she lifted the magnet over her head, she was going to toss it, throw it as hard as she could. She'd lifted her hand to do just that, but couldn't make herself do it.
She didn't steal it, it wasn't it's fault she'd gotten herself caught, not really. It was hers. She clutched it in her hands, and started crying against it. Tears dripping on it's face as she curled in and collapsed.
"I was good," Harriette sobbed. "I did all the chores, and tired not to complain. I took care of myself. I was good. I did- I really did do my best." Harriette sobbed.
Moon found the 'intruder' on the camera's. The child wasn't more than four feet. It wasn't their tiny size that gave it away that they were a child. It was also the behavior. Small, skittish movements, scurrying away from darker spots. Looking at the toys and candy for a little longer, before choosing to scurry on.
The kid avoided taking anything, choosing only the free gift. While the child was wandering back up from the lower range they picked up a piece of trash left by some guest or staff member. The kid kept their hood up, the common jacket reminding Moon of the one Nova had given Harriette. He shook his head. He couldn't get distracted. Mike would throw a fit. He watched as the kid got to the small free give away item. The child had turned it cautiously. When it popped open it made the kid jump, and fall. When Mike had called out to them they'd turned, frozen. If Mike had properly done his job he would have already been able to call the kids parents and get them home. The kid ran, diving under a display counter, letting Mike pass, before running out. Moon almost growled when he heard Mike's voice yelling at the child. He'd already been tempted to before when he'd called the child an insult. The child was clearly scared. He was impressed with the child's skill at avoiding capture. Ducking and weaving, dodging and blocking, and finally hiding again. Ducking under another display. The kid stayed there for quite some time. When she finally slipped out of the hiding spot her familiar face was no longer covered, except maybe by tears.
"They left the building already," Moon said. "Great, so you can report that you lost a child who broke in to steal free stuff. Bye."
"What?! Are you serious, bloody hell," the guy grumbled. "Look what do you say we keep this to ourselves. They didn't break anything right, and all they took was the free gift, right?"
"Correct," Moon said. "I couldn't care less, you were the one who lost them. It's your problem to report." Moon walked away. "And because you wasted all my time, I have another patrol to go to. Use the fazwatch next time, that's why it's company issue."
"Alright," Mike said. "Thanks."
"Whatever," Moon said. "Just do your job unless you want to lose it."
"Alright, alright," Mike said.
Moon made his way through the pizzaplex. He didn't have a lot of time. A scare like that would probably make the kid run away. Moon couldn't let that happen.
What even happened? Sun asked. Looking through the camera's feeds looking for anything to tell him where to have Moon go.
I don't know, Moon answered. But we won't find out if we don't find Harriette before she runs away.
The dump was a disgusting part of the pizzaplex. Why would they even need such a thing down here. Moon stepped down the final steps that separated the dump from the rest of the pizzaplex. Technically there was still a door to the actual thing but this place was just as trashed. It was far too big.
Why doesn't anyone ever just take things to a real dump?! Sun grumbled in their shared mindspace. It's ridiculous. Moon couldn't help but agree. They hated this place. It didn't help that they often threw away perfect functional staff bots. Making the place even worse, and a place they were forced to frequent. They hadn't been down in a while, they hadn't needed to as much anymore.
At least it makes repairing the staff bots easier. Moon said, half joking.
That's true. It could be a lot harder to fix our friends.
It's not exactly a safe place for a child to be hiding though, is it?
No, Sun said, it was practically a sigh. Where would a child hide in all this mess? What if we didn't get here in time? What if she's already gone and we didn't even know she was here and-?
You're spiraling.
I can't help it.
We'll find her, she'll be fine, Moon said. She didn't come up from this.
What if there's a way out of here from down here?
There isn't. Moon assured. Though he didn't actually know. They'd searched for several minutes. Stepping over broken pallets that acted as bridges over wholes. Harriette had clearly made adjustments to the pace to make it safer to traverse. That idea was upsetting.
They spotted it then, a small light in the darkness. Moon stood a little taller to try and see it. Something was in the way. A tiny structure in the dark. A table on its side, a table cloth, and a light shining through the thin plastic. Moon picked up his pace. He picked his way through some of the larger pieces of trash, and ducked down to face the curtain. Moon took a simulated breath.
"Knock Knock," Moon said. Harriette appeared in the doorway, clutching her plushies, looking at the ground.
"Please don't kick me out," Harriette said.
"Oh," Moon said. "I…" Moon paused. "How did you even end up here? What happened?" Harriette teared up. "Can I give you a hug?"
"You'll get into trouble," Harriette sobbed.
"Some things are worth getting into trouble for," Moon said. "And for me, you're one of them." Harriette looked up at him. Face wobbling, scrunching, trying so hard not to cry, before throwing herself into Moon's waiting arms and letting out her tears.
"He threw me away," she sobbed into his chest. It took several moments for her to get her next sentence out. "She didn't even try to stop him." Another long pause, filled with desperate sobbing gasps, Moon rubbed Harriette's back trying to sooth her. "They never loved me and they were never going to." She was talking faster now only stopping to gasp in a sobbing breath. "Why? Why couldn't they love me? I was trying my best. I tried so hard, I didn't mean to be a problem! I tried to be good! I tried to be kind, and do my chores, and-and-and. Why couldn't they love me? Why am I not loveable? Why-?" Moon cut her off there.
"You are not unlovable," Moon said, a little sharper than he meant to. "Just because someone can't love you doesn't mean you're not loveable. If someone doesn't love you it says more about their values then about your worth." Harriette's breathing slowed, eyes wide as she looked up at him. "You are worthy of so much more love than what you were given." He held her face, rubbing away her tears. "You are so precious to me, and there are plenty of people who are waiting to meet you, waiting to love you, and they don't even know it. They, your relatives, hurt you because there was something wrong with them. Not because there was something wrong with you." He wrapped his arms around her again. "You are good, and you are kind, and you do your best," Moon said. "Despite how you were treated you taught yourself how to be good, and how to care. You're so strong Harriette." Moon said. Moon could feel Sun's own love for this little girl radiating from their shared mind. "Sun agrees. He says I'm totally right."
You are, Sun said.
"Promise," Harriette asked.
"Promise," Moon said, ruffling her hair. "Now let's get you to the daycare."
"No!No!No!" Harriette squirmed trying to free herself from Moon's hold, he carefully let her down, but held her hands.
"What?"
"I can't!"
"Why?"
"I can't!" she shouted, freeing herself from his hold.
"Why not, take a deep breath, and explain," Moon said calmly. Harriette sniffled her breath, sucking up a concerning amount of snot.
"You'll get in trouble," Harriette said.
"And I told you that you're worth getting into trouble for," He brushed a strand of her hair from her face, she closed her eyes at first, then looked surprised.
Maybe warn her next time, Sun suggested.
"Sorry, I forgot." He said to both Sun and Harriette.
"Forgot what?" Harriette asked.
"To warn you before touching since, well, since your relatives are the worst," Harriette giggled at Moon's comment. Her face was still red and splotchy, tear streaks, and probably more then a little sweaty.
"It's okay," Harriette said. "I don't mind you touching me."
"That's good," Moon said. "But I should still get permission. Now why can't you come to the daycare." Harriette shifted, then shook her head. "C'mon, I won't tell anyone you're there. I want you there. Do you not want to go to the daycare?"
"No, I mean yes! I mean of course I want to live with you!" Harriette shouted. "But…" she trailed off. She pouted not wanting to continue.
"But?" Moon asked.
"I don't want you to get in trouble," Harriette said.
"Well, lucky thing I won't," Moon said.
"Really?" Harriette said. "Are you sure?"
"Promise," Moon offered her his pinky. She looked at it for a moment before nodding, taking hold of the offering with her own. "Then it's settled, you're coming home," Moon picked her up.
"Home," Harriette said, slow and low, then she smiled. "Home."
Mr. Moon helped collect Harriette's things. They packed everything into the backpack. Mr. Moon held them with a disappointed look.
"Sorry," Harriette said.
"Not your fault," Mr. Moon said. "Where's the other bag?"
"I had to leave it since it was too full to fit in the vents," Harriette said. "It had all my clothes."
"I'll pick it up on my next patrol."
"You don't have to," Harriette said. "I can get it myself another time, probably."
"I'm picking up your bag, it's not any trouble," Moon assured. "This is really all you have?" Harriette nodded. "That's- well, at least you own something." Mr. Moon sighted. "We're getting you some more clothes, and- What's wrong with your toys?"
"They were Dudleys old toys, and they're not all broken, see," She held her transformer toy up. "This one's only missing the gun, and I didn't like the fact that he had to shoot people so I'm glad he doesn't have it anymore." Harriette peaked out from behind it smiling. "And I have the plushies of you and Sun, oh! We can sew the star back on!" Harriette said. Putting the transformer back into the bag. Checking to make sure the bows she'd used to tie the plushies on to her backpack were still tied. Then fished out the star from the smaller pocket. "See, I still have it." She smiled, putting the star back. "Alright, one more thing." Harriette said. "Alright," she stood on her tiptoes to peek over the ledge where Ms. Spider had made her home. "Hello Ms. Spider the third. It's time we say goodbye. Thank you for keeping me company all this time." Harriette said she watched as Ms. Spider climbed into the small jar she'd used to bring her with her. Then turn to wave at her. "You want to still come with me?" Harriette said. "Are you sure? I know you came with before cause I had to, since Au-Petunia was going to check the cupboard and hate spiders and I didn't want you getting squished, but-" She waved going further into the jar. "Alright." Harriette said. "Thank you for staying with me." Harriette said. "I gotta close the lid to keep you safe." Another wave. She closed the lid and held it to her chest.
"Hello Ms. Spider," Mr. Moon said. Ms. Spider waved to Mr. Moon. Harriette grinned. Reached for her backpack only to end up hoisted into Mr. Moon's arms.
"I've got it," Moon said. Harriette looked up at him, "just focus on keeping Ms. Spider safe." Harriette nodded, holding Ms. Spider's jar to her chest.
They arrived quickly enough. Harriette's face lit up seeing the daycare after so long. Moon set her down on the padded floor. Taking Ms. Spider from her so that she could move around freely. Harriette couldn't help but turn around to look at everything. The familiar sights; bright and colorful and darkened by the night time. The glow and the dark stars that gave the room a soft glow. The tables that she'd colored and drew and made bracelets with her friends. The play structures she'd climbed with her friends. She kept spinning to look around before falling onto her back on the padded floor.
"Are you okay? I know the ground's padded but that doesn't mean you should just-" Mr. Moon asked.
"I missed this place," Harriette said. "I'm so happy to be here."
"Mm, I'm glad," Mr. Moon said. "So, Harriette. I hate to ask, but.. What actually happened with your relatives?" Harriette stayed laying but looked away, tears stung her eyes as she explained what her uncle said. "I see. Hmm. I wonder who 'they' is?"
"I was starting to think it was probably just people in general," Harriette said. "Since, nobody, before the Raywoods ever seemed to care what was happening." Harriette wondered if that actually had to do with her being a freak.
"I guess that makes sense," Mr. Moon said. "I want to say that can't possibly be right, but as I said before I'm not allowed to know anything about how things are actually run." Mr. Moon sat down and Harriette rolled over so she could be closer to him. She laid her head on his knees. "Is that even comfortable?"
"Mhm, they gave you legs extra padding, I guess," Harriette said looking up to Mr. Moon. A yawn forced its way out of her. Mr. Moon hummed.
"Since we can't afford to get caught you'll have to live in our room," Mr. Moon said. "Though that was probably going to be the case anyway."
"You have a room?"
"Mm. Sort of," Mr. Moon shrugged. "It's up there." He pointed to the balcony that Harriette had seen lots of times. He'd jumped from it into the ballpit once or twice. Harriette sat up.
"What's up there that makes it only sort of a room?" Harriette said.
"It's gotten used a lot more for storage than as a room," Moon said thoughtfully. "We'd need to do a lot of work to get it into a condition to have a child living there." Moon paused, putting his hand to his chin in thought. Harriette was also pretty sure he and Mr. Sun were talking. Harriette watched them think-talk for a moment. "Well, you can sleep here for now, and we can clean up the area. We didn't really expect to have a kid over. They don't usually let Robots adopt children." He booped Harriette's nose and her eyes widened, but it wasn't just the boop that got her surprised. Adopt? Harriette knew what that word meant. That word was used when adults and kids became a family. A girl in Harriette and Dudley's class was adopted by her step-dad. It meant that he became her real dad, in all the way that mattered. That's what she'd told the class. Harriette's eyes widened even more. Was she and Mr. Moon a family now? Did Sun agree? Was she allowed to be part of their family? Harriette almost cried again, but she managed to look away and not cry.
"Alright, I can stay here," Harriette said, throat a little tight.
"Are you okay?"
"Just, it's been a really long day," Harriette managed to smile, "I'm a little tired." Harriette grabbed for her backpack. "I can help clean up."
"No," Mr. Moon said, booping her nose again. "You need sleep. You have bags under your eyes. I'm guessing you haven't felt safe using any of the moondrops I gave you?" Harriette shook her head. "Well, you can have one now. I'll get the area cleaned up." Harriette could feel herself pout. Shaking her head.
"I wanna help," Harriette said.
"Nope," Mr. Moon said. "You need to sleep, okay." booping her nose a third time.
"Fine," Harriette said. "But I need my blanket."
"Alright," Mr. Moon said. "I'll leave your stuff with you for now, okay?" Harriette nodded.
"I'm going to hide though," Harriette said.
"Hmm?" Mr. Moon asked. "Why?"
"I don't want to be out in the open incase someone comes in without permission," Harriette said. "I don't feel safe like that."
"That's fair," Mr. Moon ruffled her hair. She smiled, leaning into the touch.
"Thank you," Harriette said.
"You're welcome," Mr. Moon said. "I'll come get you when I'm ready. I can move you while you're sleeping but would you prefer it if I woke you? It might be scary to wake up in an unfamiliar place, and I might end up having to do another patrol tonight." Harriette thought about it.
"I'd rather be awake when you move me," Harriette answered.
"Alright," Mr. Moon ruffled her hair one more time before leaving. Harriette gathered her things and picked a spot to hide and sleep. She decided to take the moondrop later. She was already so tired she was sure she'd fall asleep without trouble. And she was right, as soon as she'd gotten her sleeping nook in order and curled around her plushies under her the thick coat that was her only blanket and her head hit the backpack pillow she was unconscious.
What are we going to do? Sun asked. Where do we even start with this? Kids need a clean, safe environment, but you also have to take into account Harriette's trauma!
Sun, we'll be alright, Moon gave his response. We'll take it one step at a time for now. Remove anything that Harriette could get hurt on, and clean up the area.
Y-your right, Sun said, sending a gif that was him taking a breath and letting it out. Moon smiled, internally, since their face was plastered into a perpetual grin. We'll be alright. They arrived in the room and stared for a moment. It really wasn't a place that would be safe for children. What was worse was that they didn't exactly have a lot of options to get rid of some of the things. They could throw away the trash. They might be stuck with them there in a corner or closer to the balcony for a while. Maybe we should consider which room Harriette should use as well?
What do you mean?
Well, technically we could have her stay in the one by the balcony or by the door, Sun said. I'd prefer the balcony, she's comfortable enough with the vents that she probably won't be too troubled by using them. It means she's further away from people who may come in, since we're the only ones who can use the balcony.
I agree, however we might need to ask her, Moon said. It will be her living area too.
Yeah, Sun said. But I was thinking it might at least give us an idea of where to store the trash till we can actually throw it away. How did we live like this? Moon laughed.
Good question, Moon thought back. Let's just focus on one step at a time. If nothing else we can just stay in the balcony room together temporarily until we've got the place properly cleaned up. Moon thought. They'd grabbed the tashbags they used to keep the daycare clean. They got to work gathering the trash, and sanitizing things to make it at least somewhat liveable for their new young charge.
It surprisingly didn't take that long to get the area cleaned up, at least of the trash. They packed away their tools for now, not willing to risk Harriette getting hurt. Stacking the things that were put there for storage, some of which had been there for years. They both were pretty sure that the company didn't even know it was here anymore. They'd go through it another time for anything useful then maybe they'd throw the rest out somewhere. It was about an hour before they were even ready to start moving Harriette in.
Alright, now what? Sun thought.
Well, a bed would probably be a good place to start, Moon suggested. Thinking about the tiny girl curled up in one of the tinier holes in the play structure.
I suppose that's a good place to start, Sun said. Little ones need education, and play as well. To develop important peopling skills. Moon chuckled at Sun's impatiens. Sometimes Sun couldn't be bothered to patiently explain something as important as 'peopling skills'. Moon shook his head. Harriette had managed to develop into a good kid despite her lack of upbringing. Moon smiled, they were going to give her all the things she deserved.
Moon grabbed one of the large cushions that the company had gotten to use for sleepovers. Once he'd put it in a place he thought would be a good spot, he went back to gather the other bedding things: pillows, blankets, sheets.
We'll need to figure the rest out with Harriette, Sun said. Oooh, we should go get those shelves! Remember! Moon remembered there were shelves that one of the old employees brought in to make their space more comfortable.
Oh, that's a great idea! Moon thought. That'll give Harriette a place to put her things.
And she can get some books, and other toys. Sun added. Oh, remember those lights they were going to use in the arcade but decided that they were too expensive to run.
They claimed it was because it was a tripping hazard, Moon said.
Ha! Tripping hazard, as if Fazbear Ent. ever cared about such things.
We can get those, we do have another patrol now.
Yeah! Let's try to get one of every color, that way Harriette can pick her favorite colors! Sun sent a gif that was actually one of the company's own animations. Sun cheered by throwing his arms up in the air.
That's a good idea, Moon said back. We can check for other stuff as well.
Do you think the others will help?
We'd-we'd better not tell them right away, Moon said.
Why not? Sun asked, confusion and concern mixing together.
We don't know how they'll react, we don't know if they'll agree with us keeping her. They might not understand that Harriette needs to stay here.
You're right! Sun said. They don't understand the company as well as we do. They don't work as closely with the kids as we do, and that means they don't see how awful and dangerous parents can be to their kids! Sun was panicking now.
Breath, Sunshine, Moon told him. We'll figure it out. I'm sure that we can explain it to them. It just might take some time.
Right! Let's go get our girl some stuff for her new bedroom, Sun said.
Alright, alright, Moon said walking toward the balcony. But first let's move Harriette up here okay.
Oh, right, yeah! Sun said excitedly.
They dived from the balcony so they could hurry and get to Harriette. They were both pretty excited about sharing their idea with Harriette. Moon took them to the place where the child was hiding to sleep. He looked in to see the girl curled into her sleeping position. She was curled up so tight, but she was smiling and sleeping so peacefully. Moon wondered where she'd gotten the mens coat but decided to table that question for now. He reached to her and brushed her hair from her sleeping face, her face scrunched up as she woke up.
"Sorry," Moon said. She sat up and smiled. She sat up more to rub her eyes.
"'S'okay," Harriette said. "Ah!" She woke up more. "Are we going to see your room now?" She sounded so excited.
"It's your room too," Moon said, ruffling her hair. Harriette pulled on her backpack and gathered all her belongings. Moon took the backpack and then picked her up. Harriette seemed confused but then smiled.
"Are we going to fly now?"
"Uh-hum, we have to get up there," Moon said.
"Yes!" Harriette wiggled excitedly. "Oh, sorry, no wiggling."
"Yes, please," Moon said. Harriette wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Tah-dah, now I won't fall," Harriette said. "Where's Ms. Spider?"
"She's waiting for us in the room," Moon answered. Harriette nodded. Another yawn forcing its way out.
"Sorry," Harriette said.
"There's no need to apologize for being tired," Moon said,
"Love you, Mr. Moon." Harriette said, burrowing deeper into the hug. Moon couldn't help but tighten his hold.
"Love you too, Harriette."
Little skippy
Moon set Harriette down inside the room. She looked around at everything. Eyes wide with fascination. She walked a little bit around the space examining the space.
"Where do I sleep?" Harriette asked.
"Right here," Moon said, pointing to the bed he'd set up. "This vent will lead to the bathroom right upstairs." Harriette looked between him and her bed.
"Are we…?" She paused. "Sharing it?"
"Nope, it's all yours," Moon said. Her face was the perfect display of surprise, and then turned to pure amazement.
"I get my own bed," she said. She ran her hand over the surface hesitant at first, as if it would somehow disappear. "Yeah, all yours, unless you get scared and want me to stay with you. I have my own version of a bed." Harriette looked at him, clearly curious. "I don't need it that much since I'm designed to charge through motion, but incase of emergencies I have a charging station over there." Harriette looked at the tube. Making a little oh with her mouth.
"That's so cool!" She said, excitedly. Then another yawn overtook her. She tried rubbing her sleepiness from her eyes.
"It's alright, it's late, you should get more sleep," Moon assured. "Besides Sun and I have an errand to run."
"Patrol?" Harriette asked.
"That too," Moon said. "There are a few things Sun and I thought would help make this place a bit more home-like."
"You don't have to!" Harriette said. "I don't need much, promise! Having a bed is way more than enough!" She gestured a big motion with her arm as if to indicate just how much more than enough it was to her.
"It's alright, Sun and I want to get you these things, it would make us happy to make this place a home for you." Moon assured.
"I-I," she shifted. "I don't want to be a burden, or to get greedy. I don't want to be trouble. I don't want you to get into trouble."
"I won't, nobody is using the things I'm going to get, and you are the opposite of greedy," Moon said. Harriette looked at him, eyes wide and concerned. Moon reached for her, brushing her hair behind her ears and away from her eyes. "I promise that I'll let you know if you're causing any real trouble okay?" She held her pinky out for him to take. He smiled, wrapping his own. "Now, you get into your pajamas and into bed. I put up with it because of the circumstances but day clothes are for play, now is the time for sleep-clothes." He booped her nose, and she giggled, eyes still widening with surprise at the gesture. It was too cute.
"But all my clothes are-," Harriette started.
"Nope, we're giving you more pajamas now," Moon said. "Those two boxes are full of clothes you can pick through, the rest can be stored. That ones got Pajamas in it. Pick out anything that seems comfy."
"Really?" Harriette said. "I get more clothes?"
"Yes," Moon said, ruffling her hair. "Now get dressed."
"Alright, Mr. Moon." Harriette pulled out the first set of pajamas and her flashlight. "I'll get dressed." She headed through the vent and Moon headed off to gather the shelves, and Harriette's clothes. When he came back Harriette was sleeping soundly tucked under her new blankets and snuggled with her Sun and Moon plushies, a soft smile on her face. Sun made cooing noises in the back of their mind and Moon agreed silently watching the girl sleeping peacefully.
