Chapter XI- Believers
The most of the denizens from Kodiak* gathered outside the back of their city on the large park, talking to one another as some of kids looked up to the skies and gazed upon the twinkling snowflakes falling from the sky.
All of them were dressed up in coats as small gusts of frigid wind swept through their hairs and blasted against their faces, but they didn't really seem too bothered by that. In a beautiful park the first snow of the year comes and everyone enjoy the snow day.
But nobody knew the person responsible for this snow was in the park.
Jack Frost sat alone on the back of a park bench, watching as others were enjoying their snow day. Due to the weather, the park was crowded. Some people enjoyed view of the trees covered in shining large snowflakes while others played in the snow. A mother and daughter pair were making the snowman.
Everybody seemed to have fun. However the most happiest person was a small girl rolling in the snow and being one with the deep powder snow. Jack took quite a shine to that kid.
The snowflake flew around all over the girl, until she stopped moving.
And then she spread her arms and his legs and move them back and forth, and laugh while she do it. The wind carried his friend closer so Jack can get a better look. The girl was obviously trying to do the snow angel.
Less than a minute later ,she rose up from the ground, and her eyes being opened and sparkling when she saw her snow angel. Jack smiled at girl, she really appreciate the snow day.
"Isn't it pretty?" The girl looked directly at Jack and smiled. "You can make a snow angle too."
Jack's heart stops. Did she just? His question is answered when the girl walked right through him without a second thought. He turned around to saw the eight-year-old girl runs to the man with blond hair.
"Come on, Dad, snow is great." She patted the snow all around her where she stood, "It's nice and fresh and waiting for you."
She grabbed his hand. And the man let her dragged him in the snow. Father and daughter landed on the snow with soft 'poof'.
"My pretty Snow Angle Friend, say you will fly and bring me the tiny snowflake." The girl sing-song as she moved her feet up and down, throwing snow around. The man laughed before he started moving his arms up and down as well, making his own snow angel.
Jack sighed, this was a heartwarming moment but he only felt an betrayal. For a minute, he thought that a small girl see him.
He gave them this one last look, put his staff over his shoulder, and went into the other part of a park.
~•~
All that accompanied Jack as he stared into the water was the sound of the wind passing through the place. The sound of wind, and his own reflection staring solemnly back at him. He just sat there trying to comprehend everything, holding his staff closer, trying to think of a way to make people to see him. Believe in him.
It's not easy to make people believe. He was just fine with that. He didn't care anymore that he wasn't supposed to just walked into a crowd of people, freeze the next thing that walks in and expect to get Believers. The kids have to see something -a small miracles with a pinch magic- to believe. He have to work hard to create the winter miracles which would say, 'Jack Frost'. All of this he had come to accept within the last years, and for the most part, he was just fine with it. So what wasn't he fine with?
Why?
Why despite his best efforts, the snow days was not successful. Why couldn't he have been noticed in the first place? Why his incredible powers couldn't have made kids see him? Why he just brought people joy but he got nothing in return.
And then Jack just got up, he looked at the snowman and asked, "What I'm doing wrong?"
"It can't answer you. It's a snowman ."
Jack jumps as Raijū's voice chimes in behind him, and he turns to see the werewolf standing near the tree, arms behind his back as he looks at him with a calm expression.
"Raijū, why are you here?"
The man steps towards him, "I just wanted to see how's it going with the kids."
"It's been over 100 years since the Moon turned me into spirit. And I am still Jack Frost the spirit without Believers!"
The werewolf seemed surprised at the much stronger response, ears flicking back. "I think you forget people know your name."
"But nobody can see me." Jack calmy said, though the bitterness in his voice didn't escape Raijū's ears. "What will I have to do to be noticed?"
"You have to show them who's behind the name of the winter spirit."
"How?" Jack asked bitterly.
"Jack, you're the only one who can find an answer to the question." The man replied patiently.
"I had a feeling you were going to say something like that." The teenage boy grumbled, as he leaned against the tree and staring at the group of kids. The sadness on Jack's face made Raijū feel like a pit formed in his stomach
"Now then, there's something I want to show you." Raijū take a small stone from ground and throw it in the pound which, despite the low temperature still didn't freeze over. " Do you see these ripples on the water? "
"Yes." Jack idly confirmed, "What about them?"
The werewolf throws another rock causes the water to ripple, "The tipples are very small at first, then look how they grow. And so it is with kids' belief in magic and us." He looked at teenage boy. "I know it's hard, but you have to be patient, Jack."
Jack was silent, lacking a any response. He just throws another tiny rock into the large pond, with pensive face.
"One day, you will have Believers." Raijū put his hand on Jack's shoulder. "And I know this is probably sweetest cheese say that to you, but I want you to know that I believe in you."
Jack's face turns mischievous. "Yeah... it was cheese, very cheese."
The werewolf heard every single unspoken feeling hiding between those few words and smiled softly down at the boy.
Author Note and other information:
Thanks for reading. I'm open to constructive criticism if you have any. Feel free to leave a comment
*Kodiak (Sun'aq in Alutiiq) is the main city and one of seven communities on Kodiak Island in Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska.