Jack did not often speak to Mother Winter. She was an old woman, almost as old as Father Time, and certainly older than any of the guardians. She lived in a cottage, in a forest where supposedly no human had ever ventured. (He wasn't certain he believed that. The place was in North Dakota.)
There was good reason for his distance, though. She, of course, was not really anyone's mother, and beyond that, she was a bit scary. A lot scary. All frozen chains and hypothermia. She was merciless when it came to mortals, and there were rumors that she worked for Death, himself. Yuki-Onna was really the only one who dared say that, though, and she was quite old, herself.
In spite of all this, however, when Phil gave him the letter addressed from the oldest Winter spirit of them all, he'd felt it his duty to at least think about attending the 'family reunion' the old lady had proposed. Because evidently, when she wasn't terrorizing hikers, she was rather fitting to her role as 'Mother' Winter. Considering his options, it occurred to him that North was probably invited, too. He was a winter-ish guy, after all. Christmas and all that.
He flew down the halls of Santoff Claussen in his usual manner, nearly knocking several yettis down flights of stairs.
"Hey, North!" The Russian looked up from the ice sculpture he was working on, giving his customary wide grin. "Did you get invited to Mother Winter's reunion?"
"Yes. Though, I admit, I'm not sure I'll go..." He looked like he was recalling something unpleasant, which peaked Jack's curiosity.
"How come?" He leaned on his staff in his usual manner. It wasn't often when North didn't like someone. Besides Pitch, of course.
"I used to work with the Yule-goat...and well, we just didn't part on the best of terms last time we met." He waved an arm dismissively. "It's not important. What about you?" Jack pondered for a moment.
"I always though Mother Winter hated me, and she makes me nervous." He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "But having to tell her I can't go makes me more nervous. So I'll swing by." North nodded in agreement.
"Good point."
A/N: so, a bit of a teaser. Mother Winter is actually a character who appears in the Dresden Files. You summon her by sacrificing small animals in an empty grave on Halloween. But she's a bit different in this particular rendition. So yeah. If people like this, it'll continue, so if a bunch of snow spirits from around the world all meeting up in North Dakota excites you, review!