Author's Note

"All I hope to see are the clouds burned by sunshine."

-Krakatoa, Eclipse

One Step

From the day Harmonic made his presence known in the past, he regularly checked up on Atmospheric and her family. From what he could tell, his premature arrival hadn't triggered any unexpected changes. He knew things would be a little different with him around, but he had no idea to what extent. He would have never guessed he was in for the shock of his life.

Atmospheric drew in the sketchpad her father had bought for her some time prior. By this time, she was seven years of age, just barely beginning her second grade year. She sat out of view against the wall of the P.E. building while the other children played during recess.

"You shouldn't be here all alone. Why don't you play with the others?"

"I don't like them. They're too loud."

"I spent most of my life where it was quiet. Believe me, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Solitude is only good for so long."

"Why?"

"When the world is too quiet, it feels empty, like there's no reason to do anything. It's a very sad place to be. I don't want you to be sad."

"I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe some other time, huh?"

"Maybe."

The two sat in silence for a moment.

"Harmonic?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are you here?"

"To watch over you. Duh."

"Are you an angel, like the ones mom and dad told me about?"

"No. You are."

"I am?"

"I wasn't sure if I should tell you this, but you saved my life. I was dying when we met the first time."

"Dying?"

"I was sad and angry. I wanted to disappear. You were the one who changed my mind."

"I did?"

"Yeah. You probably won't fully understand until you're older, but maybe I can give you a hint."

Harmonic pecked his future bride on the cheek. To his surprise, she reacted. She felt it the same way she felt flesh and blood.

"That tickles!"

Harmonic quickly scrawled another message in the dirt.

"You felt it!?"

Atmospheric nodded.

"Can you see me!?"

"Duh, silly!"

Harmonic mouthed two simple words.

"Holy crap..."

"Are you okay?"

Snapping back to reality, Harmonic resumed writing. In his ethereal form, he doubted his vocal chords would function properly.

"Yeah. I just didn't know you could."

"You look scary, but I'm not scared."

The stallion pushed his mane back, revealing his deep blue eyes.

"Pretty!"

"Yours are milk chocolate. You showed me the second time we talked."

Atmospheric's response left him at a loss for words.

"I like you."

"!"

"You're funny,"

"You think so?"

"You're really nice."

"I feel the same way about you."

Atmospheric rose to her hooves.

"I'm gonna go play."

"Can you do something for me?"

"What?"

"Tell your mom and dad what I look like. They'll probably feel better if they have a description to recognize me by when they see me."

"Okay."

"Have fun for me."

Over dinner that night, Atmospheric told her parents about Harmonic. He was a tall, black stallion with a blonde mane. He wore dark clothing with a white shirt under his jacket, and he had a goatee and mustache. She even told them about the cross with her name etched in. When she was out of earshot, they discussed the matter further.

"This guy sounds stranger and stranger the more I hear about him..." her father stated.

"I'm more inclined to believe him, though," her mother replied, "There wasn't anyone matching his description in the hospital the day she was born. There's no way he could've known who we were unless he'd met us before."

"If he's telling the truth, what do we do?"

"Maybe nothing."

Atmospheric's father raised a brow.

"Don't give me that look. Think about it. He's been around for two years already without a single issue. Would he really be so inclined to reveal his identity if he was planning to cause trouble? He knows we're not stupid."

"I guess..."

"Look at her. She's as happy as she's ever been. If she trusts him, we should, too. He could save her life one day, the same way she saved his."

"I know, I know. It's just most folks don't have to worry about this stuff until their kids are older."

"The knowledge of his existence will give us better foresight. We're being offered a glimpse into the future. I want to know what road he'll lead her down."

"Fine. I see your point."

"He's doing what his heart's telling him is right. The least we can do is let him try."

Atmospheric's father grumbled, but refrained from saying anything more. Her mother chuckled.