Thanks to Crimson Gypsy, Bloody Jack Sparrow, Purple Almighty & vlasadiusdraculasbride312for reviewing! Plus, welcome to the story Dark Wolf Flame!
Sorry for the shortness of this chapter, the next will be longer. School came up again and...Some stupid shit with my "friends".
Natsuko walked over with her old friend, sipping a cup of chocolate. It was warm this time, not cold like the other. It had been so long since she tasted something sweet, especially chocolate. She allowed her taste buds to analyze just how sugary it was, appreciate it.
They walked a great distance until they were out of the kitchen and building all together. She would have never realized this until her bare feet touched the snow. Not expecting such coldness, she gave a sharp yelp and, without meaning to, melted a layer of it off the ground.
Bernard looked at the blushing girl, helping her across the snow ground and into another building. It was obvious that he was surprised at the sudden lack of control. She was always one of control, of her powers at least. Her heart was a different matter.
"What did you wish to speak of, Bernard?" Natsuko asked casually, finishing off her chocolate.
The Head Elf looked at her in concern, clearly worried of her momentarily lack of control. Shrugging it off for now, he spoke up, "We need to talk about Frost."
Natsuko's eyes flittered brighter, showing interest as her mouth and nose were covered by the cup. She was trying to get the last drop of chocolate, making her look a little foolish. "Hm?" Her voice echoed in the silver cup. "Why? About what?"
Bernard hesitated, somewhere in between restraining laughter and pelting her mercilessly with questions. Slowly, he started to talk, "Natsuko, I want to tell you about the way he acted when you were gone and what happened just recently. I've seen the way your gaze lingers, just like 50 years ago." She looked away until he grasped her chin, gently forcing her to look at him. "Natsuko…I don't want history to repeat itself. Just listen, alright?"
Nodding slowly, she sat down on a ledge of the window. The chilly air touched her exposed tan skin but she wrapped herself under her summer colored dress. She was paying attention to the elf as he paced slowly, unsure of how to start.
"When you left, he stayed near by for several days, almost two weeks. He was just walking around the land, not even bothering entering any of the buildings. It looked like he was lost, or maybe he was trying to find something…someone…you. I don't know why he did it but…he just did. Maybe he wanted to confront you, I don't know." Bernard paced back and forth, obviously hoping he wouldn't regret telling her.
"Recently he had been trying to upstage Santa, the new one. The Council…they were going to ban him, for good I mean. But he insisted of helping Santa around the place. Being the nice guy, Santa agreed but with his wife pregnant, his attention was on her and her family. Taking advantage of this, Frost basically and bluntly…destroyed the place. To make a long story short, Natsuko, he made Santa take the Escape Clause. When they got back and fixed everything, Lucy…you don't know Lucy, do you? Lucy is Scott's niece."
Natsuko blinked, hearing the new Santa's real name leave Bernard's lips for the first time. She nodded, signaling for him to continue, "Lucy's hugs are said to be magical, warm. As punishment for freezing her parents, Jack froze her parents by the way for finding out he took Santa's globe, she hugged him. Although he did not change outwardly, the parents defrosted and he claims to be nicer, different."
The look on the Summer Spirit's face must have shown her emotions. It was obvious that she hoped this meant something, that it meant they stood a chance. Bernard stopped pacing with a sad look on his face. Kneeling before her, he grabbed her hand and spoke softly, "Natsuko…he's cold and frosty…he's the winter. Even if he has changed, he cannot, even if he wished to, love you. It just can't be done."
At this, Natsuko had to tear her eyes away, staring at something, anything, else.
It was dark, almost night. The sun was setting; the light in the snow covered wonderland was dim. Most elves were readying themselves to sleep while some, very little, were working in the workshop.
Natsuko was alone, or so she thought. She walked through the place, the doors huge and squeaking when she threw them open. Giving a soft sigh, she took a step in. What she did not know was that her little walk was going to be spied on by the man she was so lost in thought of.
Next chapter: Roaming around the place, she thinks and tries to reason Jack's actions. While Frost watches, we see his thoughts and feelings. Review please!