Chapter 15
Jack does not have much experience with waking up. Sure, she sleeps sometimes but not often, so waking up is always a little weird. Waking up in a strange place she has never seen before with her last memories being of fighting the fucking Easter Rabbit-
Well, let's just say that Jack is more than a little on edge at the moment.
Waking up in an actual bed is also - strange. Slightly familiar, now that she remembers Mother and Emma, but still strange, something she has almost no experience with. Though she has to admit, it is very comfortable.
She looks around the dimly lit room and is relieved to see her staff laying on top of a low dresser. Moving brings to life several aches, including what seems like her entire face - damned rabbit - but it is worth it to hold her staff close, the subtle flare along its length as her connection to it relaxes into place a comfort in this unknown place. Although…
Jack feels she has a good idea as to where she is with the green, red, and reindeer theme decorating the bedspread and pillows. It made sense, too - the Santa Claus was the leader of the Guardians, and the rabbit was a spring spirit and though he was an idiot he wasn't so much of one to bring an unwilling winter spirit into his domain.
Jack huffs. Pitch is going to be so worried when he comes back and finds her gone but she can't find it in herself to care overly much. She could give the Guardians a piece of her mind regarding common courtesy and kidnapping spirits who are in injured, but Pitch has such a way with words, he will probably express enough scathing disdain for the both of them.
The solid looking door out of the room looks simple enough but Jack eyes it distrustfully. Out there are elves and yetis and the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus for sure, with a possibility of the Tooth Fairy and the Sandman. Bravado is much easter to muster when you have at least a modicum of comfort, and Jack does not feel up to facing down all the aforementioned wrapped in just a blanket.
With this in mind, Jack rifles through the dresser of drawers in search of clothes. Everything is green or red, and is covered in reindeer and snowflakes. Jack breathes deeply.
"Just until I can find something better," she says aloud. The knit sweaters lay there mocking her. "I will ice over all of you," she threatens. "Solid." The most appealing thing she can find is a green-blue sweater with tiny silver trees. Exploring the other drawers produces a pair of dark brown leggings she deems adequate enough for now.
She drapes the black swaddling length around her neck and ices it in place at her shoulder, leaving the rest to drape down her back in an almost regal fashion. If she is going to have to go out into unfriendly territory she is going to do it on her terms. Also, hanging around Pitch this long has given her an appreciation for the dramatic.
Easing the door open, Jack peers out. There is a yeti standing by the door who, upon seeing her, straightens up from its slouch against the wall. The yeti frowns at her and says something Jack doesn't understand before making a "follow me" gesture with its hand. Jack follows, but not without a scowl. Just because she's cooperating right now doesn't mean she has to be nice.
They walk down the hall, making several turns before coming out into what must be the heart of the workshop, the din of crafting almost deafening though the sight is no less amazing. A large arching window stretches from the roof down, allowing a clear wide view of the sky and the Moon. For a moment, Jack contemplates making a break for it, but then the yeti opens a door leading off to the side and she follows, tucking the idea back as Escape Plan A.
"Jack Frost," greets the Santa Claus, a tall broad man in red, his hair and beard silver with streaks of dark brown still hanging on. "I wish you were here under more pleasant circumstances." He frowns, taking in her appearance.
"Likewise," Jack snaps. Screw being polite. "Mind explaining what the hell I'm doing here? I don't like being kidnapped." She glares at Bunnymund, who scowls right back at her, his attention going from her staff to her clothing and then back again.
"Rescued," Bunnymund insists.
"You punch everyone you rescue in the face, or am I just special?" Jack spits.
"Listen Frost-"
"Bunny was concerned," the Santa Claus interrupts.
"Yeah? Well, you can take your concern and shove it up your ass. I was doing just fine without you poking your nose into my business. In fact, you woke me up from a very nice nap." Jack is vaguely aware of the ice spreading from her feet and keeps it close to her, letting it creep up her clothing and staff in delicate veins. "If you were actually worried about my well being, I wouldn't have spent almost a century by myself, because who cares about a spirit no one can see? No one but the Bogeyman apparently!"
"You know, this is not how I pictured this going down."
Everyone in the room turns sharply to see Mother Nature enter, followed by a brightly feathered hovering being Jack guesses must be the Tooth Fairy. "Mother," she greets with a small bow of her head.
"This certainly saves me the trouble of looking for you," Mother Nature comments. "I did not expect you to be here already though, and by yourself at that." There is a glint of something sharp in her slate green eyes as she looks at the gathered spirits.
"Yeah, well I didn't really have a choice," Jack mutters.
"Look, if you'da just-"
"What, I'm supposed to just let you tell me what to do?" Jack cuts Bunnymund off. "Funny how you keep going on about Pitch being the absolute worst, when you're the one who fucking kidnapped me!"
"Aster!" the Tooth Fairy gasps.
"It wasn't - look, things just got a little out of hand!" Bunnymund protests.
"Let us all take a moment to calm down," the Santa Claus suggests, moving so he is between Bunnymund and everyone else. "Is no good to say things or make accusations in heat of moment." He stares pointedly at Bunnymund, who bristles a moment before deflating.
"Wise words," comes a sibilant voice that darkens the shadows on the walls. Jack grins. Pitch looks furious, and the way everyone but the Sandman and Mother Nature eye him warily gives her no small amount of glee.
This should be good.
*insert "I LIIIIIIIIIIVE" gif of Mushu*
Wassup, I'm not dead! Just taking my time, figuring things out, and oh yeah, writing a few chapters for each of my fics so I can update ON A WEEKLY SCHEDULE
That's right, next chapter will be uploaded next Saturday, because now I have a buffer so I can post while writing until this is done which. I still don't know how long this fic is gonna be. Probably no more than ten more chapters? but who knows. Lol, I sure don't.
Thanks to everyone for waiting so patiently (and not) for me to update, things have been a bit stressful but I'm back and I'm ready for all y'all to shout me for leaving off at this part ehehehehehe xD Reviews/concrit are appreciated as always, and if you want you can hit me up on Twitter at AseArtisan if you like Yuri on Ice and shitposting.