After several days of rest, the Guardians awoke one morning to see Jack high in the rigging of the ship, Nightlight beside him, cleaning the sails with some kind of strange water. They walked onto the ship to see Pitch leaning over the maps of the stars. Sandy blinked in surprise and hurried over to jump onto the chair that was beside him. Pitch's gaze flicked to him for a moment then looked back at the maps. Sandy scanned the papers, then he tapped Pitch's shoulder. Pitch glanced over, raising his eyebrows.
"You use an old-fashioned way of navigating," Sandy said.
"Yes," Pitch replied, straightening. "This ship is not equipped with the tech that yours no doubt is. Old ship, old way of navigating."
"Let's see if I remember how to use these," Sandy said.
"If you want, Sanderson," Pitch replied, shoving the maps over.
Sandy began to flip through the maps, a look of intense concentration on his face. Pitch turned to see the other Guardians moving around the ship, gazing at everything with wonder. Lunar's eyes fell upon him, and they both smiled.
"So," Lunar said, striding over. "You finally built your ship."
"It was a pain in the backside to build," Pitch said fondly, looking around with great pleasure. "I can sail it by myself if need be, but it's nice to have Jack and Nightlight aboard."
"You always admired these kinds of ships," Lunar said. "How long did it take?"
"With the limited materials of Earth and the repeated trips to the depths of space in a tiny ship?" Pitch asked. "About a hundred years. But it's perfect."
"It is. Black as pitch," the Man in the Moon teased.
A soft laugh fell from Pitch's lips, and there was a splash of color that radiated out of his skin for a moment. He could feel the other Guardians staring at him with curiosity. They couldn't remember the rainbow that had removed the veil, and they were all eager to see it. When Jack told them that Pitch radiated best when he was laughing, they began trying their hardest to make Pitch laugh. But they were finding it the most trying task they had ever experienced. Pitch didn't seem to find anything they said funny. It was with a bit of envy that they gazed at Lunar, who could so easily bring emotion to the front of Pitch's sullen state.
Lunar laughed, too, pleased by the burst of color. "So, we're heading out soon?" he asked as he looked around the deck.
"We must get back," Pitch said. "If North knew how close it is to Christmas on Earth, he would be panicking."
North stiffened. "What day is it on Earth?" he asked.
Pitch glanced over then focused back on Lunar. "We should be able to get there by Thanksgiving if we leave soon."
"Good, good," Lunar said happily. "You must spend some time on the moon with me."
"Jack would like that, too. He wants to play on the surface," Pitch said. "He finds the lack of gravity quite fun."
North was quietly panicking as he calculated the days. Bunnymund slapped his back.
"We'll getcha straightened out, North," he said. "There will be a Christmas."
"I've been gone for too long!" North muttered.
Pitch turned to see his pale face. "You've saved many children from Obscurus's abuse, North," he said. "And if Christmas is less grand than usual, you should be satisfied that you have protected millions on other planets, not just Earth."
North paused then nodded. "You are right, of course," he said. "But it is my job."
"And you do your job well," Pitch said. "But sometimes, interruptions happen. As long as each child gets a present, you've done your job. Don't worry about it yet. We've still got a lot of space to navigate, even at lightspeed."
There was a rap on wood, and they all turned to see Sandy. He began to speak with his symbols. "He's right. We are far, far away from Earth. It will take a couple of weeks to get back, even at top speed. And I need to pick up my ship." He paused. "I'm not looking forward to the docking fees."
"It will be covered," Lunar said. "We'll find a way."
Pitch glanced around. Everybody looked a little dejected, even Lunar. So he turned and headed into the hold. He scanned the crates, looking for one in particular. When he spotted it, he shifted things around and pulled out two bottles. The drink inside glimmered like a night sky, stars spotted throughout the dark liquid. He smiled a little. This would definitely perk up Sandy and Lunar, and the others would follow suit once they tasted it. There was no better time to drink it, and they needed to really celebrate their victory.
He rearranged the crates, then he headed up with the bottles. When he came out of the hold, Lunar, Sandy, North, Bunnymund, and Toothiana were bunched by the map table as Sandy tried to explain the system of navigation. Jack and Nightlight had finished their cleaning of the sails, and the simmering cloth would absorb the starlight with ease, and it was currently glowing and flapping in the breeze, ready to lift them up. They both landed with ease on the deck, and Jack grabbed his staff, swinging it over his shoulder.
"What's that?" he asked, pointing at the bottles.
"Ooh," Nightlight said, his glow brightening. "I'll take some."
"Is it alcohol?" Jack asked, wilting a little. "I'm not allowed. North said so."
The crowd around the maps turned to see what Jack was talking about, and Lunar gasped and clapped. Sandy broke into a grin, hopping down and walking over.
"No, Jack," Pitch said patiently. "It's not alcohol. But it is potent. I figured we should celebrate."
"You are sure it is not alcohol?" North asked cautiously, staring at the strange liquid, which sparkled in the bottles.
Lunar laughed. "It is not alcohol," he said. "It does not dull the senses. And Jack is over four hundred years old. He can handle it."
Pitch smiled, tossing one of the bottles to Lunar. "I would bet he handles it better than them."
"Ha!" North said. "I have been drinking since my youth."
"Yeah, mate, I can handle anything better than Frostbite," Bunnymund said proudly. He paused then amended. "Except for cold."
Toothiana didn't join in the boasting, but she studied the liquid. "Is it good?"
Sandy nodded vigorously. "Delectable."
"Jack, Nightlight, get some glasses," Lunar said.
They popped the corks out of the bottles, and they filled eight glasses with the drink. Sandy and Lunar were especially excited, and Jack sniffed it suspiciously. He couldn't explain it, but it smelled like fun and joy. Lunar held up his glass for a toast.
"To the Guardians," he said. "All eight of us."
There was a pause then everybody toasted. "To the Guardians."
Pitch stood still, watching to see if he'd win the bet. North and Bunnymund threw back half their drinks in one gulp. There was a pause then North's face turned purple, and he yelled in shock, stumbling back to crash to the floor. Bunnymund's fur stood on end and he suddenly took on the colors of some of his best Easter eggs. He sprang into the air with one powerful leap, slamming his head hard on the mast and getting hopelessly tangled in the ropes. Lunar and Sandy were shaking with laughter, and Nightlight pointed at them, tears running down his face from joy.
Jack watched curiously then took a long swig of the drink. Laughter bubbled inside of him and poured from his mouth. He felt as light as air, as light as fluffy snowflakes drifting to the ground, and he jumped into the air, did a backflip, and landed with ease. His face was tinged pink with delight, and he laughed again.
"That's good!" he said. "What is it?"
"And I just won the bet," Pitch said slyly. He held up his glass and drank deeply. His skin flashed and shimmered like starlight, and rainbow light poured from his exposed skin. He smirked smugly at North then set aside his glass and climbed into the rigging to untangle the Pooka. Lunar took a drink of his and his glow turned from silvery white to a shade of blue, and he smacked his lips.
"Good vintage," he said jovially.
Sandy took a long gulp, then he turned bright red and steam came out of his ears. He looked extremely happy. Nightlight swigged from his cup, and his light flashed and shimmered like Pitch's had, mimicking the stars instead of emitting a rainbow light.
"I agree," he said to Lunar. "It's aged nicely."
"What in blue blazes is that stuff?" Bunnymund demanded, wriggling to try and free himself from the ropes.
"Stay still," Pitch said sternly. "It's Tickling Fancy."
"Stupid to take such a big gulp when you've never had it before," Lunar teased.
"Do I dare?" Toothiana asked, holding her cup gingerly.
"I would," Jack said, still tickled pink (literally) by the sensation of the drink.
Toothiana shrugged and took a healthy swig. Her face lit up, and her feathers ruffled, and then they rippled, changing colors rapidly. Jack crowed in delight, taking another drink. Pitch finally freed Bunnymund, who dropped down to the deck looking embarrassed and slightly irritated.
"Should have warned us," he grumbled, glancing sideways at Pitch as he landed gracefully on the deck.
"Now where's the fun in that?" Pitch asked dryly.
He picked up his cup and swallowed the rest. The rainbow flared again, flashing brightly and dazzling their eyes. Lunar laughed giddily after tilting back his cup and draining it to the bottom. His glow turned from blue to ruddy orange. North and Bunnymund both glanced at their glasses then took a smaller drink. North began to chuckle animatedly, and the Pooka rapidly tapped his foot on the ground. Toothiana's feathers continued to change as she finished her drink, and her face glowed with pleasure.
"So, what is Tickling Fancy?" North asked, smacking his lips.
"I ain't never tasted anything like it!" Bunnymund exclaimed, draining his glass.
"What does it taste like?" Jack asked. "It's not sweet or sour or cold or hot."
Pitch raised his eyebrows. "It tastes like whatever tickles your fancy," he said coyly.
The Guardians paused then burst into a merry round of laughter. Pitch poured them all more of the Tickling Fancy, and they each took turns drinking it, flashing colors, and physically reacting to each swallow.
"So, Jack," Bunnymund said casually when the first bottle was gone. "What does your Tickling Fancy taste like?"
Jack smiled. "Like snowball fights and fun."
Pitch hummed. "Interesting."
"What about you, Bunny?" Jack asked, grinning at the Pooka.
"Mine tastes like chocolates and fresh spring flowers and hope," Bunnymund admitted after a moment, his ears slicked back to indicate some embarrassment at the admission.
Toothiana smiled. "It tastes like curry and toothpaste and all the best memories in the world."
"Only you would taste toothpaste," Jack laughed. He turned to North. "What about you?"
"Fresh cookies and wonder!" North exclaimed happily. "Sandy?"
"Wishes and dreams," Sandy replied, swirling the starry liquid. "The best tastes in the world."
Jack turned to Nightlight. "And what about you?"
Nightlight considered this for a moment. "It is a personal answer," he said. "Asking such a question is frowned upon unless you are close to everybody present."
The Spirit of Fun paused. "I didn't realize that."
The boy of light smiled. "I suppose it is fine. We have come far to find and save them." He sipped his drink. "Like starlight and safety."
There was a pause, then Jack slowly turned to look at Pitch and Lunar They had watched and listened to each admission, knowing how precious the answers were. Pitch's lips pressed together tightly, and Lunar smiled.
"Are you going to ask us?" he asked.
"I don't know," Jack said. "If you want to share, you can."
Lunar hummed, swirling the drink in his cup, looking thoughtfully into the starry depths. Jack turned to Pitch, who gritted his teeth and looked into his own drink. They said nothing for so long that Jack was ready to give up. But then they spoke at the same time, startling everybody.
"Family," Lunar said.
"Light," Pitch muttered.
They paused then looked at each other, smiling. "And other things, of course," Lunar said. "But I have no desire to share them with the rest of you. And don't ask Prism, either."
Pitch nodded then drained his cup. "Well, finish off the bottle," he said. "No use wasting it. I've got to figure out where we're going. Sanderson, which port are you docked in?"
"The Stargazer," Sandy replied quickly.
Lunar followed Pitch to the map table, away from the others, who were splitting the rest of the Tickling Fancy. Pitch glanced at him as he sat in the chair and pulled the maps toward himself.
"Friendship?" Lunar prodded.
Pitch nodded. "Hope."
"Wonder," the Man in the Moon said, looking up at the stars.
"Good memories."
"Fun times."
Pitch paused, the shadows creeping up his cheeks in a blush. "Love."
Lunar laughed softly, nudging Pitch. "I love you, too, Prism."
"Best friends forever?" Pitch asked hesitantly.
"Forever," Lunar sighed then toasted Pitch and tilted back the rest of his drink.
They burst into a fit of laughter. Everybody else turned to look curiously at the two men as they turned to the maps, still smiling at whatever they had said. Then they turned back to the bottle and emptied it into their cups, content to finish off the delightful drink.
