There is a Court where all matters of import are decided. It exists when it has to, for reasons even some members never know.
"Who did this?" the Queen of Nothing hisses. "The Imposter? Tell me!"
Winter turns and stares at the Queen, who takes a step back as the hall goes quiet. "The Importer has his - own place, but is not this kind of foolish."
"A piece of Nothing is gone. I felt it -." The Queen goes still. "This will not stand."
Her voice is not as empty as she supposes.
"I am afraid I cannot help you."
"You are time. You see all things -."
"An aspect, but not the whole. I am not Arth'Ba'Toch in this moment." Winter's smile is far colder than his name. "Do not give me cause to abuse the power that I am."
And even Nothing steps back at that, her gaze raking the room. Several lesser Powers flee, not wishing to be unmade.
"I believe I can explain." And behind her is another, sometimes clad in armour.
The Queen turns, and sneers. "You wear a mortal form."
"They have some importance as well," Lance Christensen says calmly. "And this is a matter of mortals."
"No mortal can disturb the sacred balance."
Winter sighs, and the sigh is deep and resigned and knowing.
Lance smiled crookedly. "A mortal did. Jay was asked if hugs needed to be recharged, and now they do."
"I have not met this one."
"You can't. You are what you are, Void and all. Jay would - change you, and into what I suspect no one can know."
"Change me?" The Queen laughs. "You have changed. Justice should be seeking recompense for me, not telling me to hide!"
Lance shakes his head. "Many Powers exist, and some have never been part of the court. Jay is - outside all of that. From Outside the universe."
"The Cone and the Grave govern all such -."
"Jay hides himself from them."
"... that is not possible."
"Yes, well, the universe now has a Huggery that recharges hugs. Until a few hours ago that was also impossible." Lance doesn't smile. Justice seldom does. "Jay once banished me from the universe by accident. I will not say it did not cost him, and fixing it was another cost. He was ten then. He is eleven now. You don't want to draw his attention."
"If Innocence was a Power, it would be Jay. And Innocence does not last," and a raven sometimes called Skergaal appears, to slip away a moment later.
The Court vanishes, as all return to their own places of Power.
Only Winter remains, because there are few places that Time is not.
"Hello," he says to the Huggery, and gently helps it find its place among the Powers.
