A/N: Hey. This is my second fanfic ever, and my first for RotG. It takes place after Jack has been a guardian for a little more than a year. Hmm... yeah, I've got nothing else to say about this so far.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Yeah, I don't own this stuff.
Hazel smiled as she gracefully glided with the breeze. As she blew past the trees, the last of the leaves turned from bright green to various shades of yellow, orange and red. Coming to rest atop a large rock, the girl admired her handiwork. It reminded her of a Tiffany glass window she had seen once, at a museum. A clean blue river flowed down the center, with the autumn trees surrounding it. In the distance, she spotter gentle rolling hills, the sun setting overhead.
The autumn spirit sighed contentedly, and said aloud, "Right. That's that." She hopped off the rock and crouched by the water's edge, cupping her hands for a drink. Then she stood, turned around, and walked off into the deep woods she called home.
After ten minutes of walking, Hazel arrived at the small, secluded cottage. She plucked a ripe red apple off the tree in front before stepping inside and yawning. She had only been home once in the last month. The changing of the leaves was the busiest and most exhausting time of the year for her. She would go around the world not once, not twice, but three times to create the perfect autumn effect. If all the leaves in an area changed at once, they would all fall within a short window of time, resulting in a whole lot of raking and a very short season.
The aroma of cinnamon greeted her when she entered. A faint smile traced her lips. Home sweet home. Being a spirit, she didn't need to sleep as much as mortals, and only did so 1-2 times per week. Lately she's been taking a lot of powernaps in various trees and the occasional backyard hammock. Hazel didn't mind it, really, but it felt good to know she had an actual bed to rest in that night.
Hazel slipped off her well-loved combat boots, placed them by the door, and went into the bathroom to wash up a little. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, and ran a few fingers through her hair. Being so long, one would think it would get tangled a lot, but it didn't. One of the perks of immortality, she supposed. Back when she was human, it had been solid brown and perpetually frizzy. Now that she was the spirit of autumn, it was a patchwork of brown, light ginger, and intense dark red pieces. On a good day, it tumbled down her back in glossy waves.
She changed out of her gray tights and burgundy dress and put on her favorite ratty old sweatpants and a London Olympics t-shirt. She went to the kitchen, made herself a cup of tea, and went back to her room to recline on her soft bed. Then she grabbed A Tale of Two Cities and read for about half an hour, until her eyelids grew heavy. The breezes blew out the candle on her nightstand, and Hazel slept.
When she woke, daylight and crisp fall air was pouring in through the open window. Hazel groaned and rolled over, but after a few minutes she made herself rise fully from her slumber. She walked to the kitchen and poured herself a steaming cup of apple cider. There were only two more places where the leaves needed turning, and then she had the rest of the season to do the fun stuff. This morning she would finish up the UK, and then she would jump across the pond to do the Midwestern US.
She always left that one for last out of dread. Even after five years, going back to the place she grew up in was painful. It always came with the memories. It reminded her that it was her fault, and that she had sealed the very thing she wanted most to prevent. She didn't want to see anyone. She was better off alone, anyway.
Hazel sighed and went to the oak wardrobe in her bedroom. "Hmm…" she said to herself (a habit she'd developed over the years), "I'm feeling comfort today." She selected a pair of black knit leggings, an oversized cream sweater, a dark red scarf, argyle socks and a gray hat for good measure. She slipped into her combat boots and checked to make sure she had her lucky bracelet, even though she never took it off. With her messenger bag slung over her shoulder and a bagel for the road, she was off in a gust of wind.
Jack was getting antsy. It was mid-October, still the primetime of autumn. He wanted it to be winter already, so he could engage in some snowballs and fun times. It was hard for the guardian of fun to admit, but… he was getting bored.
For most of the summer, he'd been crashing at the North Pole. He could mess with the elves, play pranks on the yetis, and indulge in all the cookies he could ever want. As long as he didn't mess up the Christmas preparations, North didn't mind. Of course, he would also venture out to Northern Russia and Canada to have some wintry fun. If he went too far south, though, the high-strung summer spirit would get mad, and he would have the danger of melting. He couldn't even go to visit Jamie in June or July.
Hmm… speaking of Jamie, I should see how that Halloween costume's going. A little cold snap in October wouldn't hurt anyone, would it? Glad of something to distract himself with, he sped out the window, heading towards Burgess. Riding the winds was a sensation he never failed to enjoy, and he couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
After Hazel finished the first leg of her day's work, she had the breezes set her down on a London street corner, just a small ways away from King's Cross Station. To her, it was a perfect day. It was cool enough outside to dress in layers, but not so cold that people were shivering. The sky was pale gray, and the bright red and orange leaves dotted the area like spots of paint.
She walked a few blocks down the road until she spotted a Starbucks. Quickly, she dashed in and grabbed the first frappuccino in sight, leaving a two-pound note in its place.
She took a sip and smiled. "Caramel. My favorite."
Another block down, she found an empty park bench and took a seat. A couple of squirrels took notice, and sniffed her feet. She chuckled softly. "Hi, there. How are you?" The squirrels didn't respond. To herself, she added, "Now I know I'm going mad."
She threw away her now-empty Starbucks cup and took off. "The leaves aren't going to change themselves. Up, up and away!" With that, she sailed over Britain and on to the open ocean.
R&R, please and thank you!