Whilst Sandy is off getting the Muse from France, Jack Frost comes a grand total of two and a half hours late. As soon as Jack touches down he launches into an explanation. "I know I'm late but this time I have a really good excuse. You see, I was making this quick snow day in Franz Josef, a little town in New Zealand, with the intention of going to the meeting. But then the kids came out and I mean, isn't it my duty as the Guardian of Fun to help them have even more fun? Like the responsible Guardian I am I was just doing my job, bringing fun." Jack pauses for a moment, thinking back.

"Well, except for Kyle who got grounded for hitting this old guy with a snowball. It wasn't my fault, I swear! But the look on that grumpy geezer's face? Hilarious!" When he sees the accusatory stares from the others he clears his throat and moves on. "Anyway, I was doing my job so well I kind of forgot about the meeting. I remembered eventually though and I'm here now! Hey, Sandy isn't here yet! Sweet! Pay up, sweetheart," Jack turns in Tooth's direction, holding out his hand expectantly.

"Excuse me?" squeaks Tooth, cheeks going pink and feathers ruffling.

"I was talking to Baby Tooth," Jack justifies. As proof Baby Tooth zooms forward, shaking her head at Jack. "Come now," Jack beckons with his hand, awaiting his reward. "A deal's a deal."

"Jack, Sandy was here but he left. That is what we must talk with you about," North explains. Jack sighs in annoyance.

"Fine, you win," he tosses her a small, very white tooth which she catches and holds to her chest like a child would a favourite teddy bear. Baby Tooth, clutching her prize tightly, burrows into Jack's hoodie, feathery head poking out giving the Guardians an excellent view of her smug satisfaction.

"Did you give her one of your baby teeth?" Tooth exclaims, looking a little jealous of her mini Fairy.

Jack shrugs. "Yeah. She won the bet."

North raises a bushy, salt-and-pepper eyebrow. "What bet?"

"That by today I wouldn't be the last one to arrive to the Guardian meeting."

"Enough of your antics, Frostbite!" Bunny interferes, fed up. Jack rolls his eyes. "We have more important things to discuss than you. MiM chose another Guardian."

"What?"

The first thought that goes through Jack's mind is: Awesome! Another Guardian. I wonder if they like pranks… The second thought: What if they don't like me? What if they hate me? Third thought: What if the others like them better? What if they replace me and I end up alone again? Fourth: Why didn't the Man in the Moon wait for me? I'm a Guardian. He always talks to them but never me. I don't understand.

"Who is it?"

North shows Jack 'The Book of All True Myths, Legends and Spirits Volume II' and points to the newest Guardian's picture. "Zis is her."

Jack scans the page. "The Muse… Isn't she a human thing? For artists and stuff?" He has heard 'patrons of the arts' praising her name on a passing wind, but more often cursing her for her apparent fickle nature. Usually he would knock over whatever they were doing, if they were so courteous as to leave their window open. "You guys know her?"

"Sandy does," Tooth offers.

"Okay…" Jack draws out the 'a', sceptical. "So what you're saying is you're enlisting practically a stranger to protect the precious children of the world?"

With complete confidence North declares; "Man in Moon chose her, like he chose all of us. Zis means she is Guardian. Also, Sandy trusts her."

The bitter, sarcastic laugh that that escapes Jack's lips reminds them he is a lot older than he appears. "How can you have such blind faith in MiM? It's not like he ever comes down to Earth from his little hovel in space to actually help us. Has he even explained why he chose this new Guardian? What is she like? He, he just, why, ugh," Jack runs his hand through his snow-white hair in frustration.

"Deep Freeze has a point," Bunny concedes. "I said it before and I'll say it again, we don't need another Guardian. We're strong enough as it is. The children believe. Who's MiM to add this Muse sheila to the mix?"

Before the debate can get much further Sandy flies in, a woman on a strange boat behind him. It is the Muse.

Her picture in the old book does not do her justice. The light reflecting off her soft, straight black hair makes it look like a rainbow is trapped inside, shimmering out. The grey streaks of her irises have a metallic gleam and the amber brown is soulful. What is most spectacular is her dress. In the picture it seemed simple and pretty. But outside the page the wine red and deep purple intertwine and bleed into each other in miniscule, perfect detail, slippers over dull platinum peeking out from under the ankle-length skirt.

"Hello Guardians." The Muse leaps lightly onto the ground, her boat folding in on itself behind her. "Why did you summon me?"

"Trust me," Jack leans on his staff. "You did it the easy way." He glares at North, who is oblivious to it and smiles.

"We brought you here because you were chosen as new Guardian!" he booms excitedly.

Instantly she replies; "I don't think I am a suitable choice." The elves preparing for fanfare hesitate, eventually shuffling awkwardly to the side.

A barrage of sand images dance over Sandy's head too fast for his fellow Guardians to read.

"Thank you Sanderson," the Muse answers to the disbelief of the others. How could she have understood him at all? "But I am not who you are searching for." Another assault of sand images. The Muse shakes her head. "It is not only children."

"Uh, well," North interjects, no grasp of the conversation that just took place but eager to continue, "do you know what we do? We protect the children of ze world and keep their wonder, hope, dreams, memories and fun safe. And when something threatens them we help. We defeated Pitch Black. That is what we do."

With utter seriousness the Muse says; "Do you expect me to sing 'ding, dong, the Pitch is dead'? I am aware of your duties."

Jack laughs. "We even have the munchkins!" To illustrate he freezes an elf. The Muse's eyes sparkle with mirth, though she does not grin.

"I do not understand," North's thick eyebrows knit together. "Pitch is not dead and why are you dinging and donging?"

"It's a movie reference," Jack explains, exasperated. "Haven't you seen 'The Wizard of Oz'?"

"Who is zis wizard Oz? Is he powerful?"

Jack groans. "I suppose that is why he is the Guardian of Wonder," the Muse mentions casually. Jack struggles to contain his snort of laughter. He fails.

"Enough boys. We're being rude. We haven't even introduced ourselves yet!" Tooth scolds. "I'm Toothiana, better known as the Tooth Fairy, but you can call me Tooth."

"Oh yes. Names zen Guardian business. I am North! Pleasure to be meeting you!"

"G'day. Bunny. Bunnymund."

"Of course you know Sandy," Tooth chirps, "and this is Jack."

"Hey."

"So that's everyone! Now, what's your name? I'd rather not go on calling you the Muse," Tooth says amicably.

"Reshma," the Muse responds.

"Oh," though still interested Tooth seems slightly subdued by this answer. "That's similar to my mother's name. Are you from India?"

"I was. Nice meeting you. I'll be off then." Reshma, without warning, melts into the floor taking a few elves and yetis with her. Specifically all those assigned to perform the fanfare.

"Crikey!" Bunny cries.

"Cool," Jack breathes.