Their eyes took a moment to adjust from the darkness of the forest to the bright light of the workshop. The girl that had came through with them stood starring in awe and wonder as flying toys zipped passed their heads, and the yetis continued their busy schedule to prepare for the oncoming holidays. It was then that the small group could have a proper look at the spirit that had given each of them quite the run for their money.
Compared to Bunnymund, the top of her head just reached his collarbone, with a small, slender build that at first glance appeared almost bony but upon closer inspection, toned muscle was prominent. This was covered by a slightly tattered, low cut top which was tied at the front, and bound with a worn ribbon just under the bust, and left the mid-section exposed due to its ripped angle. The skirt was long, yet only covered the front and buttock area, leaving her legs completely free and held snugly to her hips.
"This...is the pole?" her small voice spoke up after a moment, turning to look toward Bunny, Tooth, Jack and Sandy in amazement, her long, dark brown hair falling in gentle waves against her fair skinned lower back.
"Yup. North's workshop in all of its glory" Jack stated as he and the rest strolled forward, their guest slowly following, still gawking at her surroundings. She became so caught up trying to take everything in, the girl hadn't watched where she was going and bumped into one of the yetis.
"Oh! Ah, sorry!" she exclaimed, not knowing what to do when it started to chatter in a strange language that she had never heard before. Normally talking to animals was a walk in the park but this was something completely different!
"Easy Phil. Sheila's new t'the place" Bunnymund intervened, placing a paw on her shoulder before directing the dumbstruck spirit back toward their original destination, the Globe, which flickered with the little lights of the children.
"Ah! You have all returned!" North chuckled once catching sight of his fellow Guardians, however once his eyes rested on the face he desired to see, the old Russian gave a wide smile, "Alese! Good to see you! Has been far too long my girl"
The others turned to look at the female, known now as Alese, only to see her head cocked slightly to the side at the sound of the tall man's words. Had she met him before? Yes, who didn't know of Santa Claus, but North acted as if they had actually met. Seeming to notice this, North let a heavy hand weigh on the girl's shoulder, pulling her toward the globe.
"You were just wee little girl when I last saw you and your father. Tell me, how is the old buck?"
Alese's flinch at the mention of her father was far too noticeable as her gaze fell to the floor beneath her bare feet.
"He...joined my mother around 200, or so, years ago" her voice was barely above a whisper, however avoiding the details as best she could. North's happy expression wavered slightly until clearing his throat and attempting to change the subject to something more uplifting.
"He would be proud to know that his daughter has been chosen as next Guardian!"
Alese's head snapped up to stare at the russian in disbelief. This was why Man in the Moon had summoned her here? But the only time another guardian was chosen, was whenever the balance was in danger by something stronger than the current number. On top of that, what could she have to offer? After all, she was nothing more than a minor spirit.
"But-" she was just about to voice these questions whenever the large blue-grey rabbit, most likely the Easter Bunny, hopped forward with his own protests.
"Now hold on a minute mate. Why would MiM choose a minor forest spirit of all people, t'be a guardian?" he stated harshly, basically putting her doubts into words she could barely muster.
"Bunny!" the tooth fairy spoke up, zipping forward to chastise the rabbit.
"No, no he's right" Alese stated, making even Bunnymund stare at the female in slight shock for agreeing with him, "I'm nothing more than a minor spirit even in comparison to Mother Nature herself. What would I have to offer the Guardians?"
North listened to all of this patiently as usual, his chest rumbling with a deep chuckle toward their flustered expressions. They truly had not known her linage as he had.
"How you view self is in the eyes of you alone Alese. However, to others, they do not know who mother and father were, do they?" the older guardian stated with a reassuring squeeze to her shoulder but then came to stand in front of the female, "Now, what is your center?"
Ok, nowshe was completely confused.
"Center?"
"Yes. Your Center is what makes you a Guardian, what you protect in children" North explained, the rest still watching patiently, listening to the russian continue to explain about each of their Centers. Alese could barely grasp how she was suppose to figure out something so important through nothing more than what she had done most of her life. It could be anything! She began to feel dizzy, and her leg suddenly felt warm, almost wet.
"Ah, North.." Jack attempted to speak up, trying to break through the old man's lecture subtly, however only Bunnymund, Tooth and Sandy seemed to hear his voice, following the Guardian of Fun's gaze. Blood trickled in beads down Alese's right calf, forming a tiny pool at the base of her heel. Had she had that this entire time? In all the excitement they hadn't even noticed, nor had the young spirit showed any signs of being in pain.
"Oh, Alese you're hurt!" Toothiana exclaimed, flitting toward the wavering female, gently taking hold of her arm so the fairy could guide her to sit on a nearby workbench. This finally grabbed North's attention, his eyebrows raising toward the sudden actions of his companions.
"Hurt? Why you not mention this from beginning?" he asked, yelling at one of the yetis to go fetch a first aid kit.
"To be honest, I forgot all about it" Alese admitted, watching as Jack perched himself on top of his staff, Tooth occupying her worry with the girl's long tendrils of hair. A sudden soft touch to her foot made the female spirit jerk despite the resulting pain, glancing down to see the Easter Bunny, explained to be Bunnymund by North in his lecture, trying to examine the injury.
"Hold still ya'gumbi" he grumbled, taking a wash cloth that was offered with a pan of water from Phil to dab at the opened wound. The Pooka's eyebrows raised however, once spying little specks of black sand in the dribbles that he wiped away. It couldn't be.
"Sandy, is this…?" his words trailed off, gazing at the other guardian as Sandman gave a nod of confirmation. Pitch. Bunnymund looked firmly up to Alese.
"How did you get this?" he asked, elevating her leg slightly to slow down the flow to the limb.
"Last night, the forest was attacked by a tall, dark man that wielded these strange looking creatures. They were terrorizing the forest, going after anything that moved, but before I could make a move to do anything, he turned his attacks on me. I ran, but then this black arrow came out of the sky and hit my leg" She explained hesitantly, the muscles in the directed leg twitching every once in a while when Bunny would brush a sensitive area. She wasn't use to being touched in any way, but as much as Alese wouldn't admit it, this felt kind of nice minus the hole in her leg.
"Wait, you said this all went down last night?" Jack spoke up from his perch, brows furrowing together inquisitively. Was this how Pitch was gaining power at such a rapid pace? It had to be! They all glanced at one another, seeming to have the same train of thought. He was starting small this time, and at this rate, it would be no time before the Boogieman had enough energy to overtake all of them.