AN:
In honor of Xeikm, I'll be naming each one these chapters of my ROTG story I'm writing after my favorite songs. Starting with a song from Beauty and the Beast (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Angela Lansbury, Chorus - Beauty And the Beast & Jerry Orbach.
Be Our Guest :
After Pitch's defeat at the hands of the main Guardians with aid from their newest member Jack Frost. A celebration sharing this grand affair had to be shown to other Guardians Jack hadn't met yet. It was trying to find time to plan everything little detail out and location to have that party. Became a problem since missed work had to be made up because of Pitch's interference had them busy.
Leaving Jack to get use to relocating into one of North's many extra bedrooms meant for short or long-term guests. Who could be found with out a yeti escort in guest wing of the North's Workshop. Looking through many opened doors while strolling down one of many long hallways bored. Until he made a discovery one of the rooms were occupied after making it to the end of one of the hallways. Shades of blue and purples covered all four walls with forest scenery on it. Victorian styled furniture made of some kind of organic material it was naturally changed colored. Had been strategically placed on cherry wooden floor panels that owner of the room. Walked all over messing with nick-knacks mumbling no-sense that interested Jack to entering the room.
"Nice set up." Was the greeting Jack gave this someone while he leaned on the open door frame without a care loosely holding his staff.
"Thanks and my name is Ero Wales of Salem Village." This person had to be a few inches taller then Jack and was 17 like him. Despite his ash gray hair pulled into a tightly woven braid against his pale peach colored skin. Covered in dull colored clothing that was a mixture of modern and formal ware with matching calf length boots that laced up
Ero went to stop Jack from introducing him self-saying he already knew him from ramblings of his mentor. He would have revealed if wasn't for bellows of familiar voice calling for the both of them. By their names that had Ero covering his ears wishing person yelling would stop. Left was Jack amused by Ero's form of denial before answering for the both of them by shouting back. Got him and Ero a cheery reply followed booming for steps that had a pillow thrown at the back of Jack's head. Had winter spirit turning toward find a very upset Ero now standing by room's large window.
It was gave anyone panoramic view of outside area thanks to its three transparent panels of glass. Formed an odd looking bay window that had a small stain glass on top of it displaying an image. Needed to be clearly seen up close from the windowsill filled with pillows attached to the window. It was wide enough to hold a few full grown people willing wanting to lay down, and gaze out the window. That was currently Ero had in front of it ready to throw another pillow at him.
"I wasn't ready to be confronted by North." Ero made his intentions known to Jack; "I'm still waiting..."
He sentence was cut off when Jack tried to form a snow ball he in turn would have tossed at Ero in form of retaliation. That was quickly dispelled by Sanctuary spell that had been placed within confinements of the room. Would keep any form of conflict through magical means from happening like what Jack tried to do. Leaving him unable to summon any type of ice based spell through his staff, or use of hand gestures.
"Please tell this isn't your doing?" Jack was getting frustrated not being able to do anything.
"Yeah since I know sooner or later I'd be bumping into you. " Ero ended up needing to sit down.
Before Jack could use a physical means to get Ero to lift the Sanctuary spell from the very room he intruded into. North bursts into the room unannounced scooping Jack into one of his arms boasting. Using his free hand to point to Ero in this grand gesture saying the boy was part of the Outcast Guardians.
"Technically...my mastery of magical element is done with...I not a Guardians yet." Ero corrected North.
"Gives you more time to make friends with Jack while I counsel you, ya?" North winked at Ero.
"Yay me." Jack struggled to get free of North's hold.
Ero just stared at Jack while verbally stuttering with words about being force to get along with someone he knew as troublemaker. Not like his attempts to point at Jack bothered North nor soured his mood. Since he encouragingly ended up placing Jack right near Ero on windowsill with smirk. Before going on how about Ero was coming to live and learn fundamentals of magic from North. During his stay within workshop until he would return to mother's side.
"For now, You make friends with boy your own age." North thought it be best for Jack to make friends with Ero to bat his loneliness. Not like he and other guardians find the time now to spend Jack with missed work they had to make up. Resulted in him coming up with this a plan for Jack befriending someone whom was physically around his age, and shared certain traits with him.
Just didn't seem to go the way North wanted since Ero ended up placing a few pillows between him and Jack. As a form of separation from him that Jack couldn't knocked over with through usage of chilly breeze. Wasn't for the Sanctuary spell North sensed figuring it was erected in this room alone. By Ero, who most of done it because of what happen with Pitch that almost wiped out the Guardians. He in turn would get Ero to take down after boy's adjustment period here would pass.
Had him advising both Ero and Jack to at least tolerate each other's presence instead of bickering. Hinting one could possibly help the other find a room to call his own after either other room was rejected. This was where a shared reaction was displayed between the both of them that were displayed differently. Ero flat out tightly clenched a pillow he didn't notice he been holding. Blankly staring at someone who said he was taking the room right across from Ero's before smirking.
"You're few screws loose of being sane." North's bellowing chuckling at Jack's answer drained Ero mumble out.
"You already are getting along." North reached out to each one of boy's shoulders and pats them hard.
Leaving Ero to be knocked back ward further on to windowsill's pillows speaking in Latin tongue that caught Jack's attention. Jack onto his bare feet switching hands to grip his staff asking North when he could get settled. This further had Ero what sounded like cursing in Latin tongue that Jack's curiosity ringing.
Not like the winter spirit had time to ask Ero about it since North escorted out of Ero's room to hallway. Behind them the solid oak door they passed through would close behind them on it's own. This had North explaining the person Jack just meant was one of two pairing that was made up of parent of child. Thought of mentioning Ero's mother was something North was going to hold back on. Since the women's reputation among fellow Guardians was right next Pitch's own; except she was a good guy. Making him shift the subject to giving Jack a slight tour of what would become his permanent residence.
"You like?" North had asked as he opens the door for Jack.
Allowing the younger spirit to walk passed him into a blank room that had basic pieces of furniture included a bed, chest of draws and desk. Walls were void of any color and few windows the room had been gave a view. Sliding door led to an empty closet and a private bathroom that was only for Jack's use.
"Decorate any way you want." North knew Jack must have something in mind to make this blank space his own.
Way Jack was looking around this room reminded North of what happen after he convinced Ero's mother to allow Ero to live with him. When he took the him of tour of his workshop in grand gesture. That didn't draw Ero out of his shell when he was given similar speech of needing to find his center. To only be stopped before North could show his Nesting Dolls that came in set of 6 figures. Since Ero sadly told North that for some time he had already know his and his mother's center/purpose. Before asking if there was a room at end of a hallway he could have to start moving in. Led to the room that Ero was now in while Jack was just starting to move in process.
"I can't remember the last time I had..." Jack ended up flopping down on room's bed in a state of shock from what was being offered.
He had gotten use to living in the wildness of the forest that surrounded his pond for over his 300 years. When tired and needed a place to sleep he would lay in highest branch of a tree's top, and fall asleep. To pass the time when waiting to bring in the cold to start the winter season he had the naive animals. During the day or night he was allowed to play all kinds of games with them. Quiet strolls he took to clear his head during the night allowed him to star gaze at an open night sky. While during the daytime hours he seats in the shade and watch clouds float by in the sky. Sometimes a few human hikers or campers would come around and being pranked by Jack.
Only down side to living in the openness of a forest was not being able to entertain guests like fellow guardians. Lack of proper sitting area where flavored treats followed by something to drink was never offered. Pleasant conversation that had stories being shared and jokes being told. Could never distract from sounds of crickets and all kinds of noises from animals in background. Making who ever was visiting want to leave due to the fear of being attacked by wild animal.
"I leave to check on Ero." North knew Jack needed time.
Out the room North went making sure to slightly close before heading straight for room that was opposite of Jack's own. Up went one of his hands taking the form of a closed fist he would use to knock three times on the closed door. After that he stepped back when door opened it self, and there was discouraged Ero stood. Silence that started to form between them started to build in since neither one was talking. Left North to do the talking between the two of them since Ero wasn't doing anything.
"Be friend and help Jack decorate room." North's gazed into the room that Ero had put together him self.
"You mean use my magical influence?" Ero hatred where this was going.
Smile that crept over North's face told Ero; he wasn't going to be allowed to finished shelving his spell books, or arranging his charms. Making him wish his mother never visited North after Pitch's defeat and chatted with him. She shared a bit of information of her son needing more experience of magical world. Had her turning North down until she caved in allowing her son to leave his home, and come live with him.
"Give a minute." Ero needed something.
He stepped back into his room needing one of his spell books not allowing the door to close behind him. Since he would walk out of it fastening a snowflake shaped to his wrist by use of silver chain. Not noticing when door closed after he stepped out or the grin that spread on North's face he told him to lose.
Thought of entering the room to help Jack instead of working on his own wasn't something Ero was against. Had him thinking of better way to say no or flat out reject to North whenever he came near him. To only dismiss the idea when he got close enough to an open door he ended up knocking on doorframe. Not like he was just going to barge into room like Jack had down hours ago.
"Excuse me," He called out. "I hear you need some help."
He answer didn't come right away since Jack was still quite dazed over being given a place like this to call his own. All he could do was wave Ero only half way into the room while was now lying on the bed. Winking every minute as he stared at a plain ceiling trying to think of something to put there. That soon started to twinkle like the familiar night sky that he could find over his pond. Before coloring slowly start to fade to mid black with splash of dark blue smeared in places.
"What the..." Jack ended up pushing him self up from the bed he laid down on needing to get a better look at ceiling. While Ero joined him on the bed by sitting on the opposite end laying the book he needed between them explaining. That minor spell he casted allowed him to create a life-like star map on ceiling of a room.
"I hope I've gotten the sky of where you lived correct;" Ero looked up at it. "I was never use to get it right the first time...around"
"Cool!" Jack couldn't help but be amused.
Ero ended up tapping the book that had it opening it pages revealing countless pages filled with all types of spells. Each one hand written in Latin language on pages made from plant fibers or animals skin. Waiting to alter and change up the appearance of a single part or section of a room.
"What else you got in there?" Jack asked turning his gaze to Ero and his book.
This was when Ero tapped the corner of the book pages with just one of his fingers allowing it to come to life. Pages ended up flipping to a part that told someone how to change the twinkling lights on the ceilings to constellations. A 3D-type of spherical chart filled with constellations projected it self from one of the pages. That reminded Jack of the miniature Globe of Belief North had on his sleigh. That openly levitated in between him and Ero waiting to be messed with.
"Go ahead and pick something." Ero lifts his hands up to place it on transparent surface spinning the sphere around. "You get to pick up to 7 constellations that will appear on your ceiling's sky in time intervolves. "
Millions of constellations where on display and were waiting to be chosen from before Jack's eyes. All he could do was watch the sphere come to a complete stop waiting for him keeping the winter spirit speechless. To the point Ero and him didn't pay attention to extra set of eyes spying on them. One them belonged to North wearing this big grin on his face pleased his plan on getting them together. Could be found outside was deemed Jack's bedding room in his eyes with Ero's across the way.
Whose good mood would get better when clicking of designer 3-in heels on a wooden floor had him smile widening. Knowing that the person making her way toward him was his life long companion since he hair started to turn gray. Whose eternal youth always kept North on his toes and his passion for holiday season ALIVE. With a body most women visit a plastic surgeon over series of years to have. That was all naturals from honey suckle eyes that reflected the color of freshly made apple cider still in its bootleg. Cute button nose and mistletoe berry colored lips that gave one heck of a kiss. Perfect ten rack any type of sweater would die to be on no matter the size. Lower torso and long legs that were perfectly tanned had man taking a second look.
Would be making her way toward him in pair of jeans with a belt in its loops that matched one North worn. In this loose fitting sweater that barely fit on her nimble shoulders with her hair in messy ponytail. Ended up stopping beside Jack's doorframe clearly stopping in green and red Prada heels.
"What you do now?" She spoke in clear Russian Accent.
"Bringing Christmas Joy early to every girl and boy." North laughed at his own joke.
"How you pull that off ..." She had to know.
Not like she was going to get whatever answer she was looking for from the man she come to call her husband. Since into North's strong arms she was scooped that shut her mouth for rest of the hour. Leaving her to giggle when North brought up they had some free time between now and dinnertime. Asking if she was up to fooling around in familiar sexual matter around in his private chambers. The yes that purred from her lips in her Russian Accent aroused North in special way he shared with her.
"Ever tell My Sweet Candy Cane ..." North drew their lips together speaking in native Russian tongue that only they both understood. This woman understood each syllable of each word when they shared sensual smooching. Before North suggested they use a Snow Globe to get to more comfortable place before clothes came off. His answer came in the form of what she picked from his pocket wearing an innocent smile.
"My Sweet Candy Cane." North allowed her to trance his tattoos on both his arms while she whispered a location into the Snow Globe. That scenery of bedroom period furniture from Russia decorated the space. Coloring reflected that holiday North and his Sweet Candy Cane had always represented.
Out of her soft baby skin hand Snow Globe was taken by North tossing it behind him with out a care where it lands. Knowing that soon a circular opening appear behind them show the same scene that was in the Snow Globe. He would walk her into after turning around in a slow matter tightening his hold on her.