This morning North felt hungry, more so than usual. As he bounced through his private breakfast nook he hummed along to the Nutcracker Suite, a tune that had been playing in the back of his mind since he first opened his eyes. Today was not a day that particularly required the large breakfast, but still North continued to cook. With ease he produced stakes of pancakes, bacon and sunny side up eggs that made the day seem as bright as sun shining outside. North finished plating the food when Jack came staggering in.
"Hey, North do I smell flapjacks."
"No pancakes, is difference." North corrected with a laugh. "I thought you might be hungry so I made you a plate."
"That's-" Jack was going to say great he saw what North had already plated.
The dish looked good, in a sense. However Jack didn't find it very appealing. There were greasy eggs that topped sausage links, bacon pushing over on the hash browns and leaving a greasy juice that soaked into the pancakes that fought for the edge of the plate. Jack resisted the urge to cover his mouth.
"Great…" He finished. "Hey I just remembered, I'm an hour late for a blizzard in Switzerland. I should really go before it throws the weather system out of balance."
Jack pulled up his hood, using the darkness to hid the disgust in his face. North cocked an eyebrow at the child.
"Are you sure? You should really eat before you go."
"Nah, I'll be back soon. I'll, I'll eat it then." Jack aid backing up towards the window.
Pawing for the window latch Jack threw open the window and jumped out before North could ask another question. He spoke quickly before flying off.
"Sorry, really late, see ya later, bye!"
"Wait Jack!"
Jack flew off and North was left at the window to call after the spry spirit.
"Guardian dinner is tonight! Do not be late!"
Jack couldn't hear what North said but that didn't stop him. He begged the wind to get him away as fast as possible before he became sick.
When the winter spirit disappeared North leaned on the window sill. What had that look been about? It was as if North had offered the boy a slice of cow's tongue. Curious North looked back at the plate he had put on the table for Jack. Sure the edges of the pancakes weren't completely round and the bacon a bit over crispy, but it wasn't bad. Was it? North cut a piece of the pancakes and tried them, they were chewy but not rubbery. As for the eggs and bacon, still a bit over cooked. The sausage however was perfect, nice juicy. None of it tasted bad or at least not to an extreme that it would make someone run in fear.
The more North thought about it the more he began to pick apart the meal. Even if it didn't taste bad his presentation was poor. He was Nicholas St. North after all! Everything he made was supposed to look elegant and inspire happiness. All this breakfast inspired was a sloppy morning that would lead to a day of sloth and illness. There was no wonder Jack turned up his nose. He could do better, no, he would do better.
Several hours later…
North had thrown all the yetis out of the kitchen. For some unknown reason he had suddenly decided that he would cook everything for the banquet that night. It was only a family dinner, one the help to Guardians to stay close, but still they felt offended. There were yetis that made toys, yetis that cleaned, yetis that tended to the reindeer; they each only had one place and now the cooking yetis were forced to sit idly by as North invaded their space and took over. They were furious, or they were at first, but seeing no way to throw North out they retired for the night with a poker set to entertain themselves. Meanwhile North was hard at work.
Water was boiled, vegetables chopped, meats seasoned; it was a chaotic symphony of food. North rushed back and forth around the kitchen preparing everything and taking it out to set the table. The other Guardians gave him strange looks as he did so. It must have been at least a decade or two since North had made anything so large scale and he had never over reacted about such an event before. The jolly old man set out several more bowls of food before once again rushing back into the kitchen. Bunny could watch anymore it was just too weird.
"Okay, I'll bite. Why is North actin' like a loon?" Bunny asked.
"I don't know." Tooth replied fluttering about the packed table. "Is it Russian New Year?"
"No that's not for months."
Sandy poked took in the shoulder to draw the other Guardians attention. He create a small figure of Pitch that ran away almost immediately after being formed. He then created several party balloons and streamers followed by an empty table.
"Oh," Tooth said catching on. "We never did get to celebrate defeating Pitch. We were all too busy trying with damage control. That would make this Jack's first meal with us as a family."
North burst through the door with another a set of plates.
"Yes and he turned down breakfast. He thinks I am bad cook." North said setting the table.
"What? He's neva tried yer carrot soup then." Bunny said encouraging his friend.
"Did Jack actually say he didn't like the food?" Tooth asked.
"No, but he had bad look on his face at breakfast. Was terrible." North replied with a huff. "I want to show him I can cook."
Sandy looked to North and created a picture of a thermometer and an ice bag. Looking for an alternative to Jack being rude the Sandman feared Jack's health. North shook his head.
"Was fine until I gave him plate." North replied checking his watch. "Ah! Main course is almost done I will be back."
North rushed back into the kitchen leaving the Guardians to stand and wonder. They did not have to stay this way for long. Soon there was a knock on the window that summoned their attention. Beyond the pane Jack stood on the edge of the window, waiting for someone to unlock the windows and let him inside. Tooth happily obliged.
"Hey Tooth, what are you doing here?" Jack asked jumping inside.
"North's holding a family dinner night. Every now and again we get together and eat. Didn't North tell you?"
"Oh, I must have not been listening." Jack said his eyes dropping to the floor.
"Well, I 'ope yer hungry Frostbite. Look at all the food North made for ya." Bunny said pointing to the table. "Ham, corn, turkey, potatas, hand-made rolls… it's like Thanksgivin'."
"Ya don't say…"
The others couldn't help but notice all the tension that was in Jack's voice. Jack move back from the table as if something on it frightened him. Sandy caught him and created a rising thermometer over his head followed by a question mark. He couldn't notice Jack was starting to sweat a little. It was starting to get a bit stuffy in the dining room and Jack had a terrible aversion to heat.
"Yeah, just a little hot." Jack said tightly clutching his staff. "I'll be fine in a minutes. I just need some air."
Jack was about to make a break for the window when North came bursting. He yelled out with his own trumpeting sound as he announced his arrival. In his hands was a large silver tray topped with a roasted whole hog. Around the creature was a ring of purple and green garnish, mixed with chopped fruits and vegetables. Down the animals back were rings of pineapple and made the caramel color skin only look sweeter.
"Oh doesn't that look good Sandy?" Tooth smiled.
Sandy nodded and created a bib and eating utensils out of sand. Bunnymund rolled his eyes. The only thing that look appetizing about that was the apple and the fact that it was in the pigs mouth made it just as taboo as the rest of it. As his sight shifted Bunny noticed Jack out of the corner of his eyes. If there was any ever color in his face it was gone now and his mouth hung partly open. North looked at him as well hoping that it was a look of awe and respect, however he found only more disgust that the look from that morning.
"Jack?" North asked.
"Jack?" Tooth repeated when the boy didn't move.
Tooth reached out to touch Jack, but before her hand made contact his eyes rolled back into his head. The Easter Bunny dove to catch the boy as he crumbled to the floor. North dropped the pig and rushed to Jack's side with the others. They patted his face and called his name, but Jack did not so much as stir. Panic set in, but all Jack could see was everything fade to black.
When Jack awoke he was laying on a couch near an open window. The air wafting in slowly brought him back to life with the chilled scent of the artic. It filled him and called his name. The smell summoned him back, but it was the sound that told Jack he needed to stay.
"Hey Frostbite, ya alright?" Bunny asked leaning over the boy.
"No…" Jack groaned.
"A got a bit of heat stroke did ya?"
"No…" Jack repeated setting up. "Bunny…I can I ask you something?"
"Sure Frostbite, anythin' to make ya feel betta."
"This is my fault!" North wailed. "I made Jack sick with my food and now his is unconscious! I am horrible chief!"
"Oh North, I'm sure that's not it." Tooth said patting the old man on the back.
Sandy did the same trying to encourage him, but North wouldn't look up to see any of the symbols he was signing. He felt terrible. All North wanted to do was curl up in a corner and hide away his shame from the world.
"That's it, one step at a time."
Bunny pushed open the door, leading Jack with him. The boy still looked a bit dizzy, but for the most part he seemed better. He looked down at the floor, seeming just as ashamed as North. Bunny patted the boy on the back.
"Jack got somethin' at tell ya North."
"Jack, I am so sorry-" North began.
"Hey!" Bunny snapped. "I said 'em not you. Go on then."
Jack's sight slowly rose up from the floor to meet North's. He rubbed his hands on his staff nervously.
"North, this morning…I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I was feeling sick, but it wasn't because of your cooking." Jack admitted. "The truth is when I was young. I saw a man from my village…He was a blacksmith and one day he was working and was... Was…" Jack couldn't finish. The disgusting thought made him feel as if he were going to be sick again. "He was burnt badly, let's leave it at that. I haven't been able to look at meat the same way since. I'm sorry if I offended you."
"Jack…" Tooth said stunned. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"I thought…I don't know what I thought. The boys in my village used to tease me about it so I guess…"
"Jack." North arose and stooped down to the boy's level. "Being a vegetarian is nothing to be ashamed of."
"Eh oh." Bunny said giving a small wave.
"If you do not like meat then I will not cook any when you are around or make…Tooth what is bean-meat block?"
"Tofu." Tooth replied. "Don't worry, I'll teach you how to cook it."
"You guys don't have to do all that for me." Jack said feeling bad for making them take such great bounds for him.
"Jack we want to. You are family."
Sandy approached the boy and gave him a hug he then held him back so he could interoperate the symbols above his head; a small boy hiding from a chicken leg, a family coming to his aid and then a heart. Jack had not idea what that was literally supposed to mean, but he assumed it read something like this; Family overcome all obstacles out of love not necessity.
"Thanks guys…I love you too." Jack said wiping away a tear.
"We love you too Jack." North said standing up. "Now come on. Tooth can help me make the…um…"
"Tofu, North." Tooth laughed. "Tofu."
"I'll settle for a carrot." Bunny gripped already disgusted by the idea.
Sandy create a picture of an apple.
The five then strode off to the kitchen, side by side, set on creating a meal they could all enjoy. Another problem over come they had yet another memory to add to their mental vaults and another fact about Jack Frost. Though North would greatly desire a slice of pork at the end of this night Jack never felt more accepted in all of his life. Though their greatest trials had yet to come.
Yeah I know this one was super sappy but you have to admit its nice.
P.S I don't condem the eating of meat or being a vegetarian. I'm just saying if you do eat meat treat the animal with respect and don't bash people who make the choice to live without it.
- S. Nightly
