A primrose. Hmm... interesting. And about your "challenge." I don't know. Two? Anyways keep up the great work look forward to the next chapter. :) -BraveDragonof214

If you don't want to participate, you don't have to. I've just been looking for a beta for a long time now. I really hope I am doing well! Ty for the compliments ^_^

*nods off leaning on hand* *face slams into desk* 2 seconds pass *bolts upright* that was a good nap. -Sage McGavin

I... if it's being spoken the way I hope it's being spoken, then LOL! If it's the other way I'm thinking of, then sorry for making the story sound boring; I'll try to make it more exciting. Later on, though.

I honestly suck at grammar and spelling. Anyway this story is interesting and awesome! More please! -AyameKitsune

Thank you! Sorry this was a delayed...

...Uhhh...Hrmm... 2. -YataraM

Okay

Aw, it's over... but I liked it a lot! I've never seen a plot quite like this! -Kentario

Well, I've been known to be different in general... Glad you liked it, though!

This story is absolutely amazing. You are a truly talented writer. Your words flow together and the story's plot is great. Please update when you have the time. I can't wait to continue reading this story and others you have written :3 -Tori

I. Have. NEVER. Felt. So ACCOMPLISHED!

Hmmm. -Animal Lover

...?

*casually looks up flower meaning for primrose and proceeds to squee uncontrollablly* -Mike

I know, right? I mean, I was wanting something more subtle, but... yeah. Bunny's got a heart; we all know it and none of us can forget it.

hi number 2 i chose you of and good story so far -Gordon519

Aww, thank you! I'll still be trying my best.

THIS NOTE IS SLIGHTLY IMPORTANT; READ ON IF YOU CHOSE #2 OR ARE INTERESTED

Here are the contestants for the next stage, the answer having been 2:

Gordon519

YataraM

BraveDragonof214

I will message you within the next few days for the next few steps.

I know I have my hands tied, but I just played through Rhythm Thief and the Emperor's Treasure, and I couldn't help but think of a fic for Raphael. He's just... adorable. And looks just like Erza. Not Erza Scarlet. I mean Erza Miller, one of my OC's. She's like... a girl version of him, mentally and physically.

If you check my profile, the next story will be going by the title Phantom Blood Artist. I won't start it until at least... I dunno, as I am incredibly behind schedule. Summer homework sucks.

Well, onto the story!

~Jack's POV~

"Welcome back, Jack!" North bellowed, followed by many repeats of the same phrase following suite from the medium-sized crowd of spirits. Many of them looked at me with spiteful looks, and I already knew they were only here because North asked them to come. Many of them wore party hats. Some even were using noisemakers. But I knew that there were hardly 5 that were here for the same reason the party was being thrown.

Not 20 minutes later, the party had lapsed into conversation and eating, but I felt comfortable just watching the party from a high shelf along a back wall. It didn't take Sandy long to notice my absence, and was soon sitting next to me, looking at me with a curious expression.

Three things appeared over his head, one after another. First, an index finger pointing at me. Then, a thumbs-up, and finally, a question mark.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Sandy. Just not in a party mood." Sandy nodded with a sympathetic expression on his face, but he didn't leave to rejoin the party. Instead, he sat by my side. It was unexpected; he was a Guardian - unlike me - after all, so shouldn't he be off, mingling with other important spirits. It's almost as though he's TRYING to taint his golden image... Yet, here we are, enjoying each other's company. Well, I don't know about him, but I enjoy his silent company.

Neither of us said anything for several minutes, and, to be honest, I loved it. I had nothing else to say to anybody tonight. Sandy seems to get it. And he always seems to respect it. Awhile later, North called for him, gesturing him over with a cheery expression and a mug in his hand. Sandy signaled back a few symbols that basically said 'I'm coming'. I slumped over a bit, but then tried to remind myself that he would not sit there all night. My head drooped, and I waited for his presence to fade, and the golden sand in the corner of my eye to fade out; but it didn't, and instead, I saw a golden hand holding mine. I looked up again, and found myself face-to-face with Sandy. Symbols appeared above his head:

A finer pointing at himself, him going out of a room that had no attachments, a rapidly ticking clock, and finally, him re-entering what I hoped was the same room.

Meaning he would come back later; or at least, talk to me later. I gave him a grin and nodded, and he nodded at me, before floating off to hang out with North. Now, I sat on the shelf comfortably. Too comfortably, apparently, because I soon found myself laying down on my side and drifting off... though, I guess I could assume it was maybe some sand that Sandy accidentally left behind.

After struggling against my drooping eyelids for about 7 minutes, I decided it was time to get off this shelf and find a new shelf. My body struggled against me as I sat up and drifted to the floor gently. I mentally debated with myself for a few minutes, before deciding it would best if I just searched for a new shelf on foot. If I flew over the crowd, I might fall asleep and fall. Not that I'm counting on it, or anything, it's just that I'm not sure how long the sand lasts when the person is still conscious.

I guess I'm playing it awfully safe today.

My way through the crowd was filled with detours, glares, whispers, and other things that I would rather not mention. I was about to make it out of the crowd and to another shelf at the other end of the room, when I heard a male voice.

"'Ey! Look, i's the man'a'd'hour!" It was Louis; pot-belly, foreign-dressing, strange-accent. Everything pointed it towards it being him. Louis is an important figure in the spirit world, and has masses of 'political' power. It's his job to manage when a season starts and stops, as well as making sure the solstices happen when they're supposed to. Thus, we usually only meet 3 times a year: for the end of fall, the end of winter. Funnily enough, he never says 'start of winter' but seems so happy when he says 'end of winter'. Anyway, he's never liked me for messing with spring and fall. Especially spring.

I forced a smile and turned around to greet him. "Hello, Louis. I haven't seen you in awhile. When was the last time, eh.. Oh, yes. April 9th, just this year." My response was as cheerful as I could make it without damaging my voice. Severely. Still hurts, though. "Y'even remember tha day! What'di I do, ta deserve such attention, right, m'boys?" He looked around at the spirits he had been speaking with, which was mostly composed of his 'gang'. Any 'fans' that 'may' have been there earlier were off and now talking to other spirits. They nodded, but none of them said anything. Total of 4.

"Hey, Bruce! Mikey! Chip! Oh, and Nate!" I looked at them all from left to right. Blonde to brunette to another brunette to redhead. All I received were some glares. "So, uhh... was there something you needed, Louis? A favor of some sort, or... what?" I was starting to get antsy. Meetings with Louis and all of his gang were usually bad. For me.

"Well, we was just wonderin'..." He chuckled loudly, gaining attention from a few of the surrounding spirits. Some of their chatter had stopped and were now mumbling about the scene unfolding before them. "Is just... are you really Guardian-worthy, Jackie? I mean, it looked like you was only there for a one-time thing, y'know what I'm saying?" He now had the attention of nearly the entire room... which isn't surprising, with how loud he was talking... and besides... anytime he sees me at some sort of public gathering, he likes to see how badly he cam embarrass me. Just a little inside joke, I suppose. I could hear the buzzing of Tooth's wings somewhere behind my left side. Bunny and North had been arguing about the whole 'Easter-Christmas' thing again somewhere to my right, and Sandy was trying to break them up. Or, had been, seeing as they stopped their arguing to see what was happening.

Actually, the spirits closest to us had backed up to make a circle around me and Louis. Even his crew. Which.. usually spells disaster for me. Instinctively, I leaned into my staff a bit more and tightened my grip.

"I mean, I heard all'de news, but nevah once didda hear 'bout'chu, my dear Jackie, takin' tha 'big step'." He leaned back and held his hands in a kind of surrender position for the 'big step' for a moment, to kind of dramatize it. Of course, he didn't need to dramatize it for everyone to know how meant the Oath. The floor felt cold, and a quick glance down told me there was ice forming around my staff and a tiny bit of snow, just 2 or 3 flakes every second or two, drifting around me as a tight-lipped frown carved itself onto my face. Another instinct kicked in, and now my hood was over my head, almost covering my forehead. Good thing I'm practically swimming in this hoodie, otherwise I wouldn't be able to hide in it so well.

"I mean, I'dun wanna pop your little bubble that'tcha seem't surround yer reality with, but, c'mon! Let's be honest with'da kid, people!" He turned a full 360 to look at the crowd's agreeing faces, and the little grin on his face showed me that he noticed the ice patch surrounding my feet, and the snowfall dancing above my head that was gradually becoming heavier. The crowd was silenced now, and I wanted nothing more than to curl up and hide. Some of the spirits who had tolerated me better - or just didn't like to see anyone put in a position like this - were mumbling and casting scornful looks at the spirits who seemed to be enjoying this - mostly Bruce, Mike, Chip, and Nate - and Louis. The Guardians made no move to do anything, but I could see frowns on all their faces. Tooth had actually gotten a bit closer and North was fingering the handle of one of his swords.

"I.." My voice was quiet and slightly cracked, and I doubt anyone really heard it, much less known that I said anything. Louis's smile faded. "Well, Jackie?" His arms were crossed and he was looking at me intently. "I..." I repeated, a bit louder, and apparently Louis could hear me. "Yes, Jackie? You what?" "I..." I shook my head and flew out the window, leaving now-melting snow and ice on the floor. Louis didn't even crack a smirk, but all I felt was the increasing wind speed and the tremendous blizzard beginning to rain on the workshop.

I don't know where I went, or how long I was flying for, or even how many towns I left in snow, regardless of season or time zone or anything. The wind began to drop me at some point, and that's when I finally noticed my surroundings. I'd just flown over where land meets water. One word immediately came to mind.

Antarctica.

"Thank you, Wind." I whispered, the lump in my throat making it hard to say it clearly. The Wind whistled in response, pulled the hoodie down, and sifted gently through my hair, calming me down a little. After awhile or passing over lakes and greenish patches, everything soon became white. Numerous creatures walked, flew, and swam far below. Soon enough, a mountain came into view and the Wind gently set me down. It took awhile of walking around, but eventually I found a nice little corner I could tuck myself away in and just hide from reality. Just for a little while. So I did exactly that.

No one else would like this corner. Too much ice, snow, and... simply cold. But to me, the ice surrounding me felt great. The little crevice in front of me allowed the coming moonlight to shine in, and for once, I didn't try to talk to MiM. My senses began to fuzz and I began to drift into sleep. Whether it was the possibility that Sandy had come looking for me, or my body had simply decided on its own to shut down for the night, I don't know. What I did know was that I was out like a light in 10 minutes.

Sorry for the short chapter, kind of short on ideas. You guys understand, right? Anyway... hope this chapter wasn't too bad.

Das vedania.