Okayy so I look back and realize that the first chapter AKA prologue thing... was slightly dark and nobody wants that reading a Christmas related story... SO I would just like to point out that I have tried very hard to make this much lighter... but I make no promises that dramatic things won't happen I mean HEY... it's Jack Frost here... he's like the Drama Queen of the Legendaries... and Lupin... well she's got her own secrets and issues... so I'll try my best to make this work out :) but I feel really discouraged at the moment because it's been like... a long time since I've posted the first one and I don't have even ONE review.
Not one :( and it makes me really sad! I mean... if it's that bad I'd at least like to be told... because I'm open to suggestion I mean really... come on here people :( please? Well on any note I really hope you enjoy it. Disclaimer! I don't own any character's from The Santa Clause besides Lupin. All characters belong to Michael Lembek. Enjoy:) BTW chapters will vary from POV's sometimes in Lupin's sometimes in Jack's and... maybe sometimes in 3rd person... so yeah :)
Lupin's POV:
"JUUUUUUDAAAYYYY!" I exclaimed loudly as I ran into the kitchen with a huge smile plastered across my face. I had been back in the North Pole for an entire week and now she has returned from break. I would say working for hundreds of years deserves a week of vacation every now and again.
I had missed her the most. She was the only elf besides Bernard that hadn't totally blamed me for almost sabatoging Christmas. They both knew it had only been an accident... but that's another story for another day. When I lived her Judy was definitely my best friend. I talked to her about anything and everything.
Sometimes I would even consult her instead of my mother. I mean I love her to death, but sometimes for a girl it's better to have a friend at times than a mother. It really depends on the situation. HOWEVER now I am much taller so giving her a hug is an entirely different situation. I tower over her by almost an entire foot.
Not that I'm exceeding the normal growth for a sixteen year old girl, I'm a regular five foot seven... but keep in mind Judy IS an elf after all. She grinned back, latching her tiny arms around my body as I embraced her affectionately. She smelled like vanilla, cinnamon, and egg nog. She smelled just the way I had recalled from last time I saw her.
Just then the room temperature dropped slightly in a matter of seconds, which I wasn't aware of until I went to turn around and ran into the icicle like man. Jack Frost himself. I was clearly instructed by my father to stay away from the cunning fox like legendary figure. I don't blame him though, he's been after dad's job for years according to mother.
He shot an icy smile in my direction, and I rolled my eyes turning my body in the completely opposite direction. I let out a huff of air, hoping silently to myself he wouldn't try to speak with me. I would just ignore him and catch up with Judy, just as my original plans were to do when I came here.
"I missed you so much Judy! Where did you decide to go?" I questioned cheerfully, inquiring as to where she spend her vacation.
"To the South Pole." she answered quickly with a giggle. The South Pole? Well I suppose there's no other place in the world she could visit without getting questioned about dwarfism. But... is the South Pole all that different from the North Pole? I guess one day I would have to find out. But in the mean time I would stay right here in this cozy kitchen.
"Excuse me." this had been the first time I had ever heard his snake like charming voice. I was positive it was his because of the fact that the other elves in the kitchen possessed no sneaky tone such as this one. I began to think to myself how to respond to this. Then I had remembered I vowed to ignore it.
"You're the Clause girl... right?" I could feel the smugness in his words. Judy gave me a strange look. She was sending me a mental message that stated it would be considered rude to not answer... especially being Santa's child. I slowly turned on my heel, forcing a smile to the lips that had previously been pursed in an upset manor.
"Yes. Can I help you with something Mister Frost?" I batted my eyelashes, demanding to know how he didn't pick up the vibe of hatred I've been sending him in my words and body language. Perhaps he's that oblivious to other people. Can't say I'm surprised on account of the fact he's not really a 'people person' so to speak.
"Oh my dear girl Frost is my last name, it's so formal... why don't you call me Jack?" he flashed his pearly snowy white teeth between his cold pink lips. I wanted to give a scoff of pure disgust out loud, but I contained myself from not acting like a brat to this insufferable man. He had to realize that method doesn't work on everyone.
"I happen to like Mister Frost thank you very much. Now is there something I can assist you with because truly I have to be on my way." I explain as I glance out the window at the rising moon. I really want to be near the river at midnight with the new full moon outside. It was very soon, and Judy could tell that I desperately wanted to leave.
"Well I just wanted to chat. You know we've never met and being I'll be residing here temporarily I feel it best we get to know eachother. I've been wishing to speak with you all week but I feel I've run into..." he paused for a moment, dangerously raising an eyebrow, "complications." he finished lowly, watching my expressions.
I narrowed my eyes at him. Complications? Like trying to take over the workshop for instance? I saw him attempt to instruct the elves on how to do their jobs. That didn't fly well with Curtis who inevitably shoed him away and out into the cold. Not that it had mattered, him being Jack FROST, and all.
"Such as?" I questioned suspiciously. He linked his hands together, perching on an island stool nearby, watching me contently before he answered, not know what to make of my wanting to know. I could tell he was mulling it over thoughtfully in his head, careful to let out any details of these so called 'complications.'
"Things. Cold things. Not that it's any of your concern. You couldn't handle it." he answered vaguely. Cold things? That didn't faze me. I'm Lupin Clause for goodness sakes, cold is practically my middle name. Surely he knows this... he's just saying these things to push my buttons. Unfortunately for him I don't have any.
"I'll have you know Mister Frost that I have a high tolerance for... cold." I answered slickly. Judy smiled at this, subtly nodding her head and tending to the decorated cookies that had just come out of the ovens. He wouldn't get inside my brain. It would be impossible. There is absolutely no way on earth.
"Well. Then we shall see how things play out then shall we?" What was that supposed to mean? What an odd thing to comeback with. By now a sly grin had showed itself upon his smirking and smug face. I could only tell what he was thinking by now. Something utterly grotesque most likely. Well Jack Frost. Get ready for game of a lifetime.
If you want to play Mister likeable and Mister Charming then fine. But who will be having the last laugh when you're stupid little plan doesn't go the way you wish? I'm about to turn your life into a living hell. And do you know what's ironic about that statement? Fire melts ice. That's right. You just wait Frosty. 'I'll get you' I think to myself before leaving.
Jack's POV:
"Now if you'll excuse me I must be on my way. Bye Judy. Goodbye Mister Frost." she hadn't even bothered to look at me as she said her goodbyes. This upset me slightly. Now that she was gone I could get rid of my smart assed-ness. She's quite an interesting young lady I'll give her that much.
She certainly knows how to play my little game... so let the games begin! The only thing that had made me think twice is where she would be going at this time of night. It was nearly twelve, and she was going out? I can hardly believe the fat man approves of this... then again what dangers are there here?
Murderers, pedophiles, robbers... the world is full of them... but none here. Just the elves and Legendaries... but then again... I could be dangerous. That's just it isn't it. I could be the scary thing in the North Pole... but I wouldn't kill. Freezing to death is one thing but I wouldn't purposely do something to physically harm anybody.
I may be cold but I'm not the Grim Reaper here. He lives nowhere near the North Pole. Anywho, an idea just hatched itself into my brain. If I hurried I could find her and follow her to wherever she's going. A few harmless pranks to frighten the girl would be no big deal. That was my lifestyle.
I immediately upped my seat and sprinted out of the double doors and down into the workshop. There was no sign of her. I quickly spotted Curtis, and ran up to him. He was checking off progress on the toy cars assembly line. I tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to scream and jump when he turned and saw me.
"Ah! What do you want? Did I not banish you from the workshop yesterday when you were instructing the elves on how to incorrectly assemble a bicycle?" he yelled impatiently. I rolled my eyes at the impatientness of this elf. He's such a stiff. He needs to... loosen up. Take a ride on the wild side.
"Relax Bernard I just came to ask if you've seen where the Clause girl went." I crossed my arms, awaiting an answer. He looked at me with loathing dark brown eyes. I could tell my presence upset him very much... which meant the longer he took to answer the longer I would be here and upset him.
"My name is CURTIS! And why do you ask?" he yelled. I only call him Bernard to get to him. It works every time. He hates it when I do that... which automatically means it gives me joy to watch him explode the way I know he does. I only shrugged at his counter question. It was none of his business.
"She dropped something in the kitchen and I wish to return it." I tried my best to give the most sincere smile I could muster. It was difficult I must say, but he seems to have bought it. He pointed to the main door and out towards the river. I looked in that general direction, wondering where it was he was motioning to.
"She was just on her way outside, I'm not exactly sure where she was heading but she came through here, full speed run, and burst through the doors. So good luck." he patted my shoulder and continued with his rounds. Does he ever sleep? Probably not. I cannot imagine any of these tiny creatures in a peaceful slumber.
Which brings me to the question if elves even are able to sleep. I quickly shrug it off and start my job out the doors. I look in ever corner possible, watching as the few creatures outside were doing things such as lighting Christmas trees or closing up shops. I started running a bit faster, watching my break make faint steam clouds in the cool weather.
I was to the very edge of town, just to the point where the Cocoa shop ended and then began the forest of Evergreen Pine Trees. I picked up their scent, which strangely made me feel a bit better for some unknown reason. I took in a deep breath, and continued my search. I made it past a few trees, seeing a clump of black hair near the arctic blue river.
Ha.. I found her. She came out at midnight to sit by the river? Strange indeed. What on earth would she want at this time of night so far out of town? I raised an eyebrow at this, planning my sneak attack. I would just jump out from behind a tree, and yell. That seemed simple enough to start with.
You have to work your way up after all. That was for sure. These next few weeks would be nothing but scaring her. Then the biggest surprise of all would come when I take Christmas for myself. But this would suffice my needs for the time being. I quickly started sprinting, finally reaching the river and yelling just as my plan had played out.
It was only then I realized that this was her at all. It wasn't even a human being. It was a... wolf? A wolf that had jumped up at my scream, and was now showing it's sharp white teeth at me, growling fiercely. It walked towards me slowly, causing me to back into a tree. Now was not the time I wanted to be ripped apart by a wolf with black fur.
"N-nice d-doggy. Don't hurt me! I'm just nice uncle Jack. Good boy-" my voice was shaking and I had never felt so afraid in my life. At this point I was aware I could use my powers to escape but I, Jack Frost, was literally frozen. It barked and growled just as I had gotten out the words 'good boy' which caused me to shake even more repetitively.
"G-girl? Good girl?" I tried, which caused the wolf to stop moving towards me. Okay that's a start... it's definitely a girl wolf. Why isn't she with her pack? The arctic wolves around here aren't less than ten miles from town. And they usually don't get this close. Did she stray from the pack? Did she loose the others?
"Are you lost?" I knew it was pointless to speak to the thing considering it couldn't understand me... which begged the question why am I acting like a pansy? I. Am. Jack. Frost. I control the winter, I am a Legendary figure, I am a lady charmer, and I get anything I want... now is about the time I should start to leave.
But something about this wolf makes me not want to leave. Something compels me about this particular one. It has the familiar jet black hair that the Clause child has... but then again many arctic wolves have this quality. The thing that really gets me about this one however... is the eyes. Most wolves have dull grey eyes.
Not this one. This one has deep, crystal clear, blue, shining eyes that glow in the moonlight. I recall my memories to the kitchen earlier. The girl walked over to the window, and I could see the moon in her eyes when she turned to me. It was the same sparkle then and now... but that was preposterous.
There was no way... it's impossible... I almost laugh at the idea of how loopy I'm becoming in this very moment. It must have been all the fear that had built up inside me from this snarling canine. She's still watching me with intense eyes and showing her teeth. I'm wrong once again. This scary creature cannot be her.
I tried to think back to the first day when I saw her in the lounge. That was the day a meeting was called in her honor. Still I do not know the situation at hand that had been discussed, but what I was really searching for was her name. It started with an L... It was eating me up here... I couldn't think of it.
"Lilly?" I question aloud, gaining no response from the wolf.
"Lucy?" I try again, still nothing. Then I remembered it was a slightly obscured and unusual name... what was it?
"Lila?" one more time. Again nothing. Gosh darn it what was her name? And then it hit me like lightening.
"Lupin." this time it wasn't a question. And the exact moment I got the name out, the growling ceased.