Bunny crept along the hall slowly, listening for any sign of the four elementals. He wasn't sure what set him on the defensive – possibly because Adam had introduced himself by assaulting Jack – but the winter child's grim expression was worrying his mind. He wasn't used to that type of look on Jack's happy face, and it set him on edge.
"You know we hate asking this of you." The voice drifted from behind the door to his left. Holding his breath, Aster made his way over and gently pushed the door open, just a crack so he could peak in. Jack sat on the bed, posture ridged and head buried in his hands. Adam sat crouch next to him, watching in concern while Mara lounged on the other side of the room. Willow paced the room gracefully, eyes on Jack at all times.
"Then why are you asking me?" Jack's voiced was wrecked, and when he looked up his expression matched. Misery twisted his mouth and haunted his eyes that were misted with tears.
"We don't have any other choices, kiddo." Adam placed a hand on Jack's shoulder, gently rubbing his shoulder in comfort.
"No one else who can do anything is going to care. And this has gone on too long." Bunny's brow furrowed in confusion as he watched Willow's movements as she spoke. What was going on? What had Jack so upset? He pushed the door open further to get a better look….. and his vision was suddenly filled with Mara's blank face. Bunny gave a shrilled cry of surprise that he would deny for the rest of his days and stumbled back. Mara examined him while the rabbit righted himself, head tilted to the side like a curious animal and burning eyes trained on his every moved while he tried sputtering excuses.
"It's very rude to eavesdrop," she informed in a soft, child-like whisper. It sent shivers down the Guardians spine.
"I was – I was just wondering where Jack went. The part starting soon –"
"We're having a party?!" Mara's face lit up like Christmas and she through a thrilled look to the other seasonals.
"I'll be out soon, Bunny. I'll be ready for the party," Jack assured, face still the picture of utter despair.
"Don't worry, we defiantly won't hold him over for a party. Party party party," she chanted, giving a happy dance as she made her way back to the others, slamming the door in Bunny's face. The rabbit stared at the door for a moment before blinking and giving a shiver.
"This is why Ah don't spend time with elementals, creepy lot."
-Line Break – Line Break – Line Break-
Jack and the others finally emerged a good twenty minutes later. The young Guardian looked like the weight of the world was placed on him, but he no longer looked utterly miserable. North and Tooth immediately swept him off, the fairy franticly pulling at his hair in an attempt to wrangle it into place while North steered him away. Bunny watched in pitied amusement as the boy threw him pleading looks. His elemental siblings laughed openly, giving mocking waves while Jack glared at them. The Pooka Guardian watched them intently as the mulled around, eyeing everything in the workshop with single minded interest.
"So, Ah take it you lot are stickin' 'round."
"Yup. We never miss a chance for a party." Adam threw him a winning smile before turning back to the toy making process.
"Speaking of which, I'm going somewhere warm to change," Willow announced, vanishing in a gust of warm flower scented air.
"Dido." Adam followed suit in a similar display; a colder wind and the rustling a leaves accompanied his departure. Aster watched Mara, expecting a column of fire to signal her disappearance.
"Aren' ya leavin' too?" He questioned when she continued her study of her surroundings.
"Don't need to." She skipped down the hall, chanting 'party, party, party' in a singsong voice. Bunny gave another shiver; that girl gave him the willies. The rabbit flopped on the couch, watching the yetis set up for the party. His mind wandered back to the conversation he'd over-heard – the bit he'd picked up before Mara decided to play creepy. Whatever the other seasonals wanted from Jack seemed to deeply bother him; and frighten him. Bunny snapped out of his thoughts as North and Tooth led their youngest back to the main hall. Damming his flow of laughter, Aster took in the sight of Jack Frost forced into a tuxedo. It was a standard black suit, complete with a winter blue tie; his hair had been brushed into neatly into place and his face very thoroughly cleaned. Jack's annoyed scowl showed just how unhappy he was with his new outfit.
"Well, don't you look spiffy?" Bunny remarked from behind the paw he used to cover his smile.
"Shut up you stupid overdressed Kangaroo," the boy muttered, throwing a half-hearted glare at the rabbit.
Cold and warm winds swept through the hall, followed instantly by hysterical laughter. "Oh my god, that is the funniest thing I've ever seen!" Adam crowed, holding his gut as he doubled over. Adam had swapped his ragged jeans and t-shirt for black dress slacks, a brown-orange dress shirt and black jacket to match the slacks. Willow's definition of party attire seemed to be a fancier dress: this one molding perfectly to her form. She'd pulled her hair back into a braid the wrapped around her head, decorated with a kind of crown of flowers.
"I think he looks adorable," Mara announced, bouncing down the hall in a pair of tight jeans and blood read belly shirt, which she decidedly had not been wearing earlier.
"Uh, Mar? It's not that kind of party." Adam motioned between the attire of the rest of the room and hers with a lopsided smile.
"No?" She looked to Willow, and then Jack, who both made moves of agreement with Adam's statement. "Fine," she whined, doing a twirl as a tornado of flames whirled around her, leaving the summer spirit in a skimpy dress the same shade as her previous shirt, curly hair pulled back and out her face. "Better?"
"I like it." Adam studied her in approval, earning a jab to the ribs by Jack.
"So, when's the party starting?" The fire girl asked, wrapping an arm around Adam's waist and resting her head on his shoulder.
-Line Break – Line Break – Line Break-
By the time the party was in full swing, Jack was bored out his mind. The guest list ranged from the Groundhog to Cupid. The list of people Jack actually enjoyed at the party could be counted on both hands with fingers to spare. Christmas music played in the background of occasional chatter around the snack, but overall the spirits simply stood by staring at each other. It was not only awkward but mind numbingly dull. Adam made his way over to wear jack was leaning against the wall, crossing his arms and matching his pose.
"Dude, this party blows," he announced, earning a laugh from the younger boy. Jack opened his mouth to reply, cutting himself off as the music cut out.
"Sorry big man, but if I have to listen to anymore Christmas music, my head is going to explode," Mara's chipper voice announced. The boy shared a look and rolled their eyes at the smaller girl's antics. Loud, upbeat music boomed through the room, pounding the ear drums of anyone near the speakers. Mara danced her way over to the seasonal boys, swaying in time to the music as she studied them; and, with a deciding nod, snatched Jack's arm and yanked him to the center of the room to dance. Adam gave an amused snort as he watched his younger friends dance; twirling, spinning, laughing as Jack dipped his warmer counterpart and they repeated the process. Adam turned his attention to the Easter Bunny as the furred Guardian joined him on the wall.
Remembering the spring spirits snipped reaction to him pocking in seasonal business, Bunny he'd be better off questioning Adam.
"So, tell me. Are you lot always so….green?" He asked, digging for a conversation starter.
"What? Oh, yeah, we're a young group. Reflects our wild nature or something like that. Willow there's the oldest person I've ever met. Not including those outside elementals." Bunny directed his attention at the slim young woman watching Jack and Mara dance. While obviously older than her fellow seasons, she was hardly what would be considered an adult figure, barely out of her teens. "Me and Mar are about the norm age-wise. And then there are some of the rarities that range down to Jack."
"So, Jack's a young one, eh?"
"Oh yeah, even for elementals. Never met anyone younger." Adam stared hard at the rabbit, looking fierce and protective and promising a lot of pain if the other spirit failed him. "He's a special kid. You'd better take care of him." The fiery look from such a young face would have been funny if Aster didn't take the unspoken threat very seriously.
"I will."
"You better, I'm putting my baby brother in your hands." Bunny jumped at the comment; perfect opportunity to delve into what he over-heard.
"What would I be proctetin' him from? That thing you wanted him to take care of?" Adam gave him a hard look.
"Dinner iz ready!" North booming voice cut off any other questioning Bunny could dive into. Adam gave a cheer and bolted for the table, Jack and the others not far behind. The power of a teenage appetite; it never ceases to amaze. The other spirits slowly filed to their seats; Bunny took one next to Jack as yetis began setting out steaming food.
"Your friends are somethin' else kiddo." Bunny only felt able to talk in whispers, the chatter in the room too few and far between to allow anything else.
"Yeah," Jack didn't seem to get the hushed environment of the room, "they're great. We're almost like a family." Music sounded through the room once more, this time accompanied with Mara climbing on the table to demonstrate her dancing abilities. "Which is why there are times I really wish I didn't know them." The winter boy groaned, smacking his head on the table.
Mara swayed sensuously to the music, flames morphing her clothes to the original club outfit she had planned for the evening. All eyes were glued to her, expressions ranging from open disgust, to amusement; or in Adams case, hypnotic scrutiny of her every move.
"Hey, Jack mate, there somethin' goin' on between those two?" He questioned, motioning to between Adam and Mara.
"I prefer not to think about it. But yeah, that's the going theory." Jack stilled hadn't lifted his face from the table, making his words sound garbled.
"If you're done making a spectacle of yourself," an annoyed spirit gripped. Jack lifted his head and identified him as Cupid.
"Maybe you just need to learn how to loosen up, stuffy adult," Adam commented, climbing to stand next to Mara, swaying to the music next to her. "Seriously man, lighten up." The words were punctuated with a gust of wind that knocked the love spirit out of his seat. The two teens on the table giggled happily; even Willow gave and amused chuckle. Jack watched in growing concern of Cupid rose to his feet, looking incredibly annoyed.
"Maybe you should try dancing. It's good for you." Mara frowned when the other spirit only stared at her. "Dance!" She commanded, shooting a bolt of fire at his feet. Cupid gave a startled yelp and jumped away from the flame. Mara gave a chipper laugh and shot flames at the spirit in rapid succession, forcing him to do a parody of dance around the room. The three seasonals laughed in demented amusement as Cupid hoped about the room.
"Mara, stop it!" Jack demanded, climbing on to the table himself. Mara only continued laughing, leering at the love spirit as she sent bolts closer to his body, making his clothing smoke. Willow and Adam laughed harder, egging Mara on. "Stop!" The winter spirit slammed into Mara as flames began to lick at Cupid's shirt, throwing her to the table. The summer seasonal leaped up, fire outlining her body.
Sprits inched their way away from the table. No matter how young elementals appeared, they were the most powerful spirits the world had to offer. A conflict between two opposing seasonals was not something anyone wanted to be caught in the crossfire of. Even Adam put some distance between them.
"Mara….." When the girl spirit actually hissed at him, Jack decided to change tactics. "You know that problem you want me to take care of? I'd hate for you to become a similar one," he whispered into the girl's ear, making it difficult for anyone else to hear. But hear it Bunny did, and his brow creased as the summer spirit's eyes went wide with shock and insult. She blew out a smoky breath and allowed the flames died down.
"Fine, be a kill joy." She jumped off the table and pulled Adam into another dance. Jack followed suit, making his way over to Cupid.
"Keep away from me!" The spirit hissed, shoving Jack's helping hand away. The boy gave a disappointed sigh and gave an awkward look to the shocked faces of his fellow Guardians.
-Line Break – Line Break – Line Break-
"What in the bloody hell was that?! Yer friend almost killed someone, Jack!" Bunny raged. The guests had left as soon as they were finished eating, not wanting to be around the volatile elementals. Which left Jack in the perfect situation for being chewed out. For his friends stupid actions; he really failed to see how that made him to blame.
"I know. Look, they're not bad people! They just…. don't think of right and wrong the same way we do."
"What is that suppose ta mean?!"
"It really means that we don't care what you think is right and wrong," Adam informed them as the other three seasonals made their way into the room. "You ever read 'Lord of the Flies'? It's kind of like that." The autumn spirit gave an annoyed huff at the blank looks sent his way, "Really? You guys gotta read more modern literature. It's not even that modern."
"We're a bunch of teenagers running our own society. I'm sure you can use your imagination," Willow explained, looking annoyed and bored.
"And I really wouldn't call it a society. There's not much of a hierarchy and it's really just whoever hits the hardest is in charge." Mara ran her fingers along the room as she spoke.
"Look, no one got hurt, and that's what matters. Can we please leave it at 'elementals are different' and be happy?" Jack pleaded.
"We need to be heading out anyway," Willow announced, vanishing without another word.
"See ya buddy." Adam ran his hand through Jack's hair before he too left. Mara hesitated, pulling Jack to the side by the arm. The older Guardians tensed, held off only by Jack's warning hand. Still, Bunny inched closer so he could hear.
"I'm sorry about earlier. Things got out of hand."
"Don't worry about it, Mar."
The summer girl chewed her lip nervously, looking uncomfortable before speaking again, "I'm not really like him, am I?" Bunny's ears twitched? What was this?
"Nah. Just figured that would snap you out of it," Jack assured. That seemed to wipe away Mara's worries, as she gave a smile before vanishing in the expected column of fire. Jack turned and ran face first into Bunny's chest.
"Jack—"
"It's been a busy day. I'm going to bed." Without another word, Jack set off to his room.
North ran his hand through his beard, looking concerned and confused. Tooth flittered around the room in a nervous fit, Sandy looking like he was a half second away from joining her. Bunny just stood staring after Jack.
"Ah don' like this. Somethin' is botherin' him. Somethin' other than his friend going psycho on Cupid." North hummed in agreement.
"Agreed. But, we cannot push. Jack will come around eventually," the big man assured. Going to the kitchen. The other Guardians looked at one another doubtfully, but put it aside and went to help North with the clean up.