"Stop!" I commanded. "What is it, Bunny?"
"Well, that staff you're holdin' there ain't your typical staff design. It's basically a display of the first born child of the Lord High General of the Galaxies. It is given to the child when they've fully grown into their powers. Pitch got his at the age of twelve when he finished his communication magic and light power training. You...received your staff at a young age, and if I'm correct, he gave that to you, because you finished the training he had given you, and judging by the silver tint at the top of the star and on top of the white, you learned how to keep your powers discreet."
"Really? That staff means that much?"
"It does to Pitch. Tell me, Jacky...in all the years you've lived as a spirit, have you ever once seen a staff like that?"
"Well...no...honestly...I haven't."
"Okay then. Let me let you in on a little secret about the top of the star. Different tints mean different things as far as the power is concerned. Red means fire, which means they had mastered the ability to not only control their fire magic, but they can harness and control heat as well. Green means that they have mastered their nature magic along with bein' able to heal. Yellow meant that they were able to completely harness communication and light magic, and would be able to communicate with any bein' in the universe...even nature itself, which was the one Pitch had. Brown meant that they had completely mastered animal trainin', meanin' that they could communicate and control any animal. Blue meant they had mastered the ability to harness and control water. Purple meant the same thing for air, don't ask why it's purple, I don't know. Then, there's yours. Underneath the silver there's white paint, signifyin' that you have mastered your winter magic."
"Well...what does the silver mean then?"
"Well...on special occasion...and not even Pitch got to have one of these, but he apparently knew of it...there would be an addition tint of either gold, silver, ebony, or ruby. The colored tints signified what you were able to do with your powers other than the powers themselves. Gold meant that you could switch between two different powers at any time, ebony meant that you could transform your magic into something else...in that regard it's a bit similar to Gold, but not quite...Ruby meant that you could use your power to alter the hearts of others, and then there's yours which is silver...it means that you are able to keep full and complete control of your winter magic and keep it discreet. Now, what that means is that you can use your magic in a way where no one will know it's coming from you unless you directly tell them or show them."
"Whoa...that's amazing!"
"Bunny...you know an awful lot of things that Pitch knows too..."
"Like I said...we were friends...and he was my general. I fought along side him. That is...until the black gate. I once swore to him that I would protect his family, but then all of that happened...well, it looks like I can continue doing that since Jacky here is his son. Blood relation or not, Jack is his son. Besides...you've seen my past."
"Yes...but your past is so long...we only saw you fighting Pitch among stars." North mentioned as he crossed his arms.
"Yeah...well...surprise..." Bunny trailed off as he scratch behind his head.
"So...those colors..." I started carefully. "...they mean I've gained control of my powers and I could basically use my powers without anyone knowing?"
"Yeah, basically."
"Maybe that's why I'm allowed out now. I'm in control..."
"That...actually makes quite a bit of sense considerin' what we saw."
"Okay...let's continue."
"How are your friends, Jack?" Pitch asked with a small smile as we walked. No one was around at the moment, so there was no reason for anyone to believe I was talking to myself, and it seemed to be either early or mid spring
"They're good. Elizabeth gave birth today. She named her daughter Sarah."
"That's a beautiful name. Did you go and see her?"
"Yeah, she let me hold her. Then, she told me that even though they believe me when I say that you're a good father, that I'm allowed to call them family too...Like you and uncle Aster."
"Stop! Hold up! What!?"
"Oi! I think I should be askin' that, mate!"
"I...but...you...and...I called you Uncle!"
"Well...to be fair..." Bunny seemed to calm down as he crouched low and seemingly embarrassed. "...when we were friends and we were like brothers...Emily had called me Uncle...I guess...it makes sense if he told you stuff like that...There's also the fact that you probably didn't know that I'm Aster if he really wasn't even willin' to tell the wind."
"Right...well, let's just get through the embarrassment, okay?"
"I'd have to agree...but we will talk about this later.
"You can consider them a second family if you want."
"I can? but...I love you and Mother...I don't want..."
At the words, it seemed as if Pitch was having to hold back tears as he smiled. "We love you too, Jack."
"That's right." Wendy said as she spun around me, hugging me with her wind. "We will always love you. You're our son. That will never change. No matter what."
"Even if Father goes back to being the boogeyman?" At my question all of our jaws dropped in shock at the fact that Pitch would have willingly told me about that.
"Even then." Pitch answered with a sad smile as he turned to face me. "Remember what I told you? Even though it was seemingly me...it wasn't. I was trapped in my own mind and body. I couldn't do anything. Do you also remember what I told you to do if that ever happens?"
"You told me to do five things..."
"That's right, Jack. What were they?"
"Do you want me to say them in order?"
"That would be helpful...and accurate."
"Alright...First, I'm supposed to try and get through to you, but I'm only allowed to try twice. Second, I'm supposed to run to the entrance of the underground palace and allow Mother to lift me out of the hole. Third, I'm supposed to try and convince the villagers that something dangerous is coming...and for them to evacuate. Fourth, I'm supposed to let Mother take me to the North Pole so I can warn the Guardians that the Boogeyman has escaped...and then..."
"And then...you will lead them to where I'm at. You will tell them as many of my weaknesses as you can, and you will have them defeat me."
"B-But why!?" I cried with tears spilling from my eyes as if there was a hidden waterfall behind my eyes.
Then, suddenly, Pitch wrapped his arms tightly around me with tears of his own slipping from his eyes. "Because, Jackson Overland Frost...you are my son, and I love you...so very very much. You and your Mother have made me happier than I think I've ever been...at the very least...the happiest I've been in millions of years. I can't..." He pulled away and rested his hands on both of my shoulders, crouching down to look me in the eyes. "I told you I was trapped inside my mind and body...what I meant by that was...I was able to witness EVERYTHING. I HEARD every scream, WATCHED every pain be inflicted by my hand along with every death, I FELT my hands commit murder! I SMELLED death and destruction and fire all around me, and everything that was happening...it left a BITTER TASTE in my mouth...but I could do NOTHING! I screamed! I begged! The nightmares and fearlings simply laughed and continued to use me until the Guardians defeated me. I can't...I can't watch myself do that to you Jack. I can't. It will break me and I will no longer feel a reason to live...just please...promise me you'll do what I ask. No matter what I say to you...if you couldn't get through to me...and you made it to the Guardians...if I ask you to join me...you have to remember...it's not me! It's them, and they will even use similar facial expressions and memories."
"I-I promise."
"Good, now look at my eyes, Jack. What color are they?"
"They're...they're silver..."
"That's right. If they ever change into a fully golden color...Do NOT hesitate to get the Guardians."
"What if...what if they're both silver AND gold?"
"Then there's a chance for me... I will likely fade in and out, but if it's reached the point that you had to get the Guardians...I beg you Jack...don't make me watch me hurt you..."
"I...I promise. I just...is this about the horse I saw?"
"Yes...and the whispers...they have started coming and going. They're not there much...but if they've started...I just...I can't...I can't hurt you Jack. It would kill me on the inside."
"A-Alright."
"Now...to get off of this...horrible topic. Will you accept them as a second family?"
"You...wouldn't be mad?"
"No, I had already decided it a long time ago. I told you that Aster was like a brother to me, and we were practically family...in a strange sort of way...perhaps they can be the same for you."
"I...would like that."
"Well then...tomorrow you will give them your answer, but make sure to tell them that your father doesn't like guests or socializing and that's why they can't come over. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
The scene started to change, but before it did I commanded it to stop and I turned to face Bunny. "B-Bunny...?"
"Come here, Jacky." He said as he quickly pulled me into a tight hug. He held his left arm tightly around my back, his right paw on the back of my head, and he nuzzled his chin at the top of my head.
I clutched his fur tightly and buried my face into his scruff, tears immediately falling. "H-He asked...he a-asked me to..."
"He asked you to put him out of his misery. He didn't wanna hurt ya, Jacky, and from the genuineness coming off of him when he was talkin' to ya about it...I can sleep better at night knowin' that he didn't actually wanna hurt my family...or anyone else."
"He asked me to kill him."
"No...he asked for you to come and get us. If he was that adamant about ya not gettin' hurt...I'm sure he didn't want ya in the fight either." I nodded my head, and allowed myself to calm down, grateful for Bunny's sudden surge in protectiveness. It freaked me out at first, but after it being revealed that he's basically my uncle in a strange way...I think we both somehow instantly got closer.
Once I was calm, I pushed away and wiped my tears. "Sorry, Bunny..."
"No worries, mate. Reminds me of what my kits used to do...all the time."
"Kits...those are like...baby Pooka right?"
"Got it in one."
"And you had...seven of them!?" I asked as I suddenly remembered how many children he said he had.
"It's how many my wife carried. All seven born on the same day. I'll tell you about them sometime. The memory of them...suddenly doesn't seem so painful anymore." Before I could say anything about that, he cleared his throat as his ears went back in what seemed to be an embarrassed fashion. I turned to the other Guardians and they were wearing proud yet sympathetic looks. "C'mon, we got more memories to see."
"Thanks...Uncle Aster..." I tried with a steady smirk and even though I was only teasing, it felt right.
Apparently it was right too, because Bunny took in a shuddering breath with wide eyes and a tear fell down his cheek. "Oh..." He sighed out. "That's...going to take some getting used to."
"Wait...you're actually gonna let me call you that?"
"Well, if these memories had taught me anythin', it's that when he raised ya, he was the man I once knew. That means he was the man I once called brother. So in a way, you're my nephew like my kits were his nieces and nephews. With all of that...I don't think I could refuse ya callin' me Uncle. Strange, I know...but still..." He seemed to notice the overly wide smile on my face, because his eyes widened. "What?"
"I have an uncle." I told him with a wide smile as I felt something warm in my heart, and I gave him another hug.
"I..." I heard him choke out in the middle of sob. "Oh, stars in the sky...I...I have a family again!" He sobbed out as he hugged me tighter, tears falling on my forehead.
I looked out of the corner of my eye to the others and smiled at what I saw. Tooth had her hands clasped over her mouth, Sandy was smiling wide, and North had his arms crossed with a look of approval. All of them were crying tears of Joy, and I could feel it in my center. It was almost overwhelming, but the one that nearly had me on the floor was Bunny's Joy. Bunny's Joy was light yet heavy at the same time. Almost as if a heavy burden was relieved from his heart, but that something good was put where the burden used to sit. It was desperate, determined, and it felt as if it held a solemn vow that only Bunny would be able to know about. It was strange to be able to feel all of that Joy at once, but with how strong his was at the moment, it was hard not to. After we both calmed down a bit, I pushed away, and he let me. I looked up at him, and he was wiping away a mess of tears. "You alright, Uncle Aster?" I tried again to see what would happen.
Bunny took in another shaky breath and let out another shaky sigh as he nodded his head and smiled. "Better than alright, Jacky...but we'll have plenty of time to talk about that after we continue with you're memories...and as far as calling me 'Uncle Aster' goes...bloody hell...ya can use it whenever ya want."
"Thank you." I told him simply before turning around. "Continue."
As the scene formed, we were back in the orchard where I said my first word. "What are we doing here?" I asked, and my voice was at it's normal level that it is now. 'Well, that's one hell of a time Jump.' I thought to myself as I looked at the other Guardians who seemed to be thinking the same, but I wasn't going to mention anything about it.
"Jack, you're thirteen now...and have been for four months now. When I was thirteen I had to make my own staff. It's time for you to do the same. It has to be made form a very important place so that it can connect to your heart. This is one such place. In this orchard, I gave you an apple from this tree right in front of us, and after you ate it, you said your first word. This tree should be perfect. Now, you have gotten rather good at carving..."
"Thank you, Father." I told him, and if I'm to be honest, my voice sounded a bit regal despite having the same accent that I do now, which matched Wendy's accent.
"Let me finish. Now...you shouldn't have any issue carving out a staff, but remember, it has to be in a shape that you feel a connection with somehow. You have to decided it's height, weight, and shape. Then, when you're done, you will bring it to me and I will add the finishing touches to your final staff."
"My final staff?"
"Yes, it will be the staff you carry with you always. Now, it is important for you to know that when you have the shape, weight, and height in your mind...if you feel it is right in your heart, don't question it, and begin carving until you are satisfied with your work. I will say this, sometimes the shape won't make sense at the moment, and that's okay, because later on in your life it will. I will be here with you, but you cannot ask me for help. Just let me know when you're done...but first...pick a branch and cut it off."
I walked closer to the tree, and surveyed it for a moment, and I noticed that my eyes kept going back to the same branch. It was a decent sized branch, and strangely straight, yet going at an angle out of the tree. I pointed my staff at it with a smirk and a sharp yet thin burst of electric ice shot out of the staff and cut the branch like it was butter, and I watched as it fell to the ground. "I choose this one. I know exactly what I'm gonna make too."
"Then get to it, Jack."
I took out a knife from a small holster at my hip, sat down, and began carving. The scene blinked and suddenly I was done. I stood up and held my staff next to me. It was the staff I have now. "I'm finished, Father." I told him as I sheathed my knife and brought the staff to him.
"Good, now take out your knife again and give it to me." I did as he asked, and when he took the knife and the staff, he put the staff in the crook of his arm and held out his hands. "Give me your right hand, Jack."
"What? Why!?"
"Because, it's part of your staff." I did as he asked and he carefully took my hand, and he cut from left to right in the middle of my palm, and then he dropped the knife, quickly forcing my hand into the middle of the staff. "On this day, March 27th, 1712...Jackson Overland Frost, first born son to Kozmotis Pitchiner and Wendy Pitchiner, becomes one with himself, his power, his magic, his staff, and one with the world as he knows it. The bond is set, the bond is matched, the bond is complete!" There was a bright blue light that came off of me, and seemed to pour into the staff, but then it evened itself between the two of us.
I immediately looked at my hand, and apparently noticed that there was no scar or wound. "There's...it's almost as if you hadn't cut me."
"The bond heals that. Have you noticed anything else?"
I looked to my staff and noticed that it wasn't frosting in the middle anymore. "It...there's no frost!"
"As long as you know yourself there won't be. The staff knows you as well as you know yourself, so as long as you do not lose yourself...you will no longer see frost on your staff, and the other children will think that you have picked up a regular shepherd's staff."
"So...what happens if I lose myself?"
"It will frost...and even if you get portions of yourself back...unless all of you completely returns, it will remain frosted. That's okay though...if you lose yourself, the appearance is all you should worry about, but I don't think you'll have to worry about that anytime soon."
"I...I feel connected to it. I didn't feel this connection with the other staffs...is that part of the bond?"
"Yes, very good. Your life force and it's life force are one. It will weather any and all storms and will not be brought down by weather phenomena, but it can still be broken. Don't. Ever. Let. It. Get. Broken. I have heard of some surviving their staff breaking...but they're not the same after, and I have only ever heard of one who was able to repair it. He returned to his old self and even had a bit more power afterwards, but he never shared how he did it. However...I wasn't even born yet when that happened...neither were my parents so really...it's just an old Pitchiner legend..."
"Wait...survive?" I interrupted.
"If it breaks...or someone breaks it where the bond was made...which is the middle of your staff...If your staff breaks you will die. The person who I mentioned that was able to mend it and live...it's just an old legend...Now, I know it sounds drastic, but that's how it is. I trust you will guard it with your life...because essentially...it is your life."
"I...I will. I promise I'll protect it."
"Oh!" Wendy screamed proudly as she circled around me and lifted me up into the air. "I'm so proud! My sweet boy has his staff!"
Once she set me back down, I seemed to be more confused than ever. "Why is it such a big deal that I have my staff?" I laughed out as I landed. "You never told me that."
"Getting your final staff means that you have excelled in your powers, magic, education, and how you carry yourself. Now...you get your final staff at thirteen, but only if you have become truly one with your magic and powers...full and complete control...then and only then...will you be able to create a bond with your staff. So...not only do you have your staff, but you have a bond with it."
"So...getting the staff...is like a coming of age thing?"
"Exactly!"
"And the bond...that's when I've fully and completely become one with my powers and magic so...but I thought...I thought I finished my training years ago."
"You did, but you continued to train yourself. That's the secret. You have to want to strive to learn more...and you've done that. Congratulations, my boy! You are now...well...if the Golden age still existed...you are now a full fledged prince, and no matter what may happen throughout your life or...even if you should become a spirit someday...you will always be the prince of the Galaxies...and again...that is if the Golden age still existed, or if any of the members from the old age held onto their titles in secret...but anyway, the bond on your staff is proof none the less, because it wouldn't have been able to happen unless you were a full fledged prince."
"Stop! Prince!?" I turned to ask Bunny about it, but what I was met with shocked more than just me. North and Tooth stared wide eyed as well. Both Sandy and Bunny were kneeling with their hands across their chests, bowing their heads...to me. "I..." My breath and my words were caught in my throat. I was baffled, confused, concerned, and I felt guilty as well as apprehensive. My heart was pounding and I felt as if my brain was going to explode. This was unreal. Sandy and Bunny were the oldest out of all of us, older than Manny, and they were bowing to me. Once I was able to find my voice again I weakly asked, "W-What a-are y-you doing?"
"You're the crown prince of the Galaxies." Bunny answered in what seemed to be awe and realization at the same time.
"B-But...Pitch...he was...h-he was basically the king, right?"
"Yes."
"Then...but after...he betrayed everyone..."
"Sandy and I...we um...there's somethin' no one else knows. We fought along side Pitch during the Golden age, yes...but we were also part of the royal council. We helped judge and determine sentences. We mainly advised more than anythin' but if there was a moment where a livin' descendant of the crown was to be judged on his actions...it was to be decided by us if they were guilty...which meant they would lose their noble status and be disowned, or in Pitch's case...found guilty but later proven innocent we were the ones to judge if they were worthy of gainin' their noble status back. Obviously...Sandy and myself feel the same about Pitch's plight...he was genuine in everythin' he said about it...so to us...that means he is still the Lord High General of the Galaxies...but he's right. There's no golden age. Not anymore. However, the title still holds weight to Sandy and I...and you're his son...and you just became a full fledged prince."
"P-Please...please s-stand..." I begged, completely unnerved by their display. Once they both stood, they looked at me with heavy expressions. It seemed to be a mixture of awe, wonder, joy, patience, guilt, and...reverence.
"Prince Jack..." Bunny started.
"Don't..." I quickly interrupted. "P-Please...I'm...I'm still Jack. The Jack you know...I'm...I..."
"Ya can't stop us from believin' what we believe, mate." Sandy nodded his head in agreement. "Tell ya what...we won't bow to you...but ya can't expect us to let this go. You're not just A prince, Jack...you're THE prince. Prince of the Galaxies...that's includin' this one, you know...and well...since both Sandy and myself find Pitch's actions to be purely under the influence of nightmares and fearlings, and not his own actions...we're as much your council as we were his."
"I...you...you almost can't help it...can you?" I hadn't meant to sound arrogant, but the way Bunny was saying that I couldn't expect them to let it go, and the fact that they had somehow agreed during the end of mine and Pitch's conversation that he was innocent and I was their prince. It was like they were honor bound.
"We're honor bound." Bunny stated with a shy smile, confirming my suspicions.
"W-What about the Guardians!?" I shouted in disbelief. "Y-You can't be honor bound to me! You have your duties here...on earth!"
"That we do, Jack, and we'll continue to go about our duties just as we always had. Nothing changes in that regard, but if you have a need of us...all you have to do is ask. You won't be forcin' us to do anythin', don't misunderstand, please...when I say we are honor bound...I mean we've taken an oath to serve and protect the royal family...and you're a member of the royal family."
"S-So...I...to you...I'm...I'm your prince!?"
"Yes...you are."
"I...but I...you...you really can't let this go...can you?"
"No, we really can't." Sandy told me through his symbols.
'If they really can't help it...they're looking at me almost pleadingly...and I know it's them silently pleading me to allow them to have this...but I don't know everything yet...but they said they would be there if I needed anything...If I let them, I...I don't think it would change anything...but what if it does? Then again...they're my friends...Bunny...Aster...is my family. I don't think it will change anything if I let them...but it may change everything if I don't...' Once my mind was officially made up I cleared my throat, trying to steady myself, even though at the moment it seemed impossible. "I...I guess...if it's what you truly want...I'll accept it..." The Joy that came off them actually caused me to physically stagger back. "Th-there's just one thing..."
"What is it?" Bunny questioned with a more a relaxed appearance, and his expression seemed almost grateful.
"No bowing...none, whatsoever. It...it doesn't feel right. You're my friends, and Uncle Aster...you're my family. So, no bowing."
"We can certainly agree to that..." Bunny answered. "...but I'm afraid...you're gonna have to deal with us callin' you Prince Jack most of the time now. I teased and joked around with Pitch and called him names, but I mostly called him Prince or some title connected to him. Sandy on the other hand...will definitely be callin' you Prince Jack from now on."
"What...what about other spirits that don't know about this?"
"We'll just tell them it's a nickname the Guardians came up for ya. They'll believe that, because we've given plenty of nicknames. Even for..." Bunny's eyes seemed to grow incredibly wide. "Oh my...she is going to flip when she finds out!"
"Who?"
"Mother Nature!"
"Oh...right...I forgot she was Pitch's daughter..." I told them.
"You knew!?" Bunny asked.
"She told me back in the mid 1800's." I chuckled out. "Well...with that weird revelation...do we want to keep going?"
"Yes." Bunny and Sandy answered.
"Continue."
"Prince!? I'm...a prince!?"
"Yes."
"How can that be if the Golden Age doesn't exist anymore?"
"Because I still live and you are my son." Pitch told me with a look of confident fatherly pride. "That's how." Pitch's smile softened quite a bit as he looked at my staff. "If your Uncle were here to see this...he would've been so proud of you."
"Hmm...you told me that when you turned into the Boogeyman...you hurt Uncle Aster. You said that you hurt him a way that's unforgivable."
"Yes, I did..." Pitch stated remorsefully. "...what's your point?"
"Well, it sounds like you're still holding onto a shred of hope...that someday you can be forgiven."
"Hmm...perhaps I am."
"Well...I find that ironic." I laughed out as I leaned against my staff in a familiar manner as a mischievous smirk crossed my face.
"Oh? And why is that?"
"Because he just so happens to be the Guardian of Hope."
"Wh-? I mean...just...what? How did you...I mean...you couldn't have..."
"Wow, I haven't seen you this flustered since Mother asked you if she could take your last name." I let out a series of giggles and chuckles before calming down again. "It wasn't that hard to figure out. Now, granted, I figured it out last year, but still...you used to always tell me about my older sister, who just so happens to be Mother Nature, which by the way...no pressure huh!? Anyway, if you weren't talking about her, you would talk about Uncle Aster. You would always say that he was a good, brave, true, honorable, strong, patient, mischievous, caring, and always so full of Hope. The last one got me curious so I started paying closer attention. You told me everything you've done as the Boogeyman...even to that Katherine girl, but the two things you never fully talked about were what you had done to the Pooka, and what you had done to Uncle Aster that was so horrible. So I put a few things together, and figure that my Uncle is not only the last living Pooka, but that he is the Guardian of Hope...the Easter Bunny."
"You and your discoveries!" Pitch groaned out. "Yes...your Uncle Aster is also the Easter Bunny."
"Yeah...it also doesn't help when most of his name spells out Easter Bunny."
"Hmm? How do you mean?"
"Let me show you." I then took my staff and started writing on the grass, elegant frost forming on the ground, forming letters until it spelled E. Aster Bunnymund. "You see this don't you?"
"Yes, it's his name...what of it?"
"Well, if you take off the dot after the 'E' and you move the 'E' next to the A..." I started rewriting in frost on the ground with my tongue sticking out to one side as I focused using my staff. "...and then if you take off the last four letters of his last name...Then you have Easter Bunny."
"That..." Pitch's eyes widened incredibly and suddenly he doubled over laughing. "...I feel like a fool for never realizing it this entire time...but you're right!"
"So...I take it...I'm the only one who noticed this?"
"Oh, I'm sure your Uncle Aster has by now...but the reason he was called the Easter Bunny, was because a group of children saw him on Easter hiding eggs. So, because of the day, what he did, and what he looked like. They started calling him the Easter Bunny. It used to be that he would either go by Bunnymund or Bunny...most in the spirit world call him Bunny...but mortals don't usually call him that."
"The spirit world..." I trailed off thoughtfully. "...the plane that is thinly layered on top of the mortal plane...how is it that I'm able to see other spirits and hear them...if I was born human?"
"Because, Jack...you were born a very special and unique human, and I will be eternally grateful to the woman who abandoned you. She unwittingly gave me the embodiment of Joy and in doing so gave me a wonderful family. You know...I'm still surprised to this day, that when we told you about who your biological parents were, and everything about who I once was...you were so accepting of it...and even went so far as to go a whole night without sleep that night...giving me some of the dream sand that was meant for you."
"Yes, well...I remember Mother scolding me the next day for not getting any sleep."
"But you made it up to her by caging all of the butterflies in three different caverns...and then letting them go on the surface. Honestly, the two of you..." He chuckled warmly. "...I will say this though, it was a beautiful sight. You and Wendy playing with the butterflies together..."
"Yes, and then the next time I put dream sand over you, you were dreaming about it."
"And likely always will. It was quite the sight indeed."
