Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome back to "The Winter Child!" =D Sorry about the late update, but hey, I'm here now! =D I don't really have much to say this time around, so I hope this chapter brings you guys pleasure. ^u^
~ XI ~
Misadventures in Babysitting
North was away
So Aster and Tooth
Stayed with Jack
Entertaining him with play
The little snow sprite remained mischievous
Despite North's absence
And Aster and Tooth discover this the hard way
...
Winters in Santoff Claussen were brisk if not freezing. Those who lived in Norsurberian knew how to well-prepare for the chilly season, and noticed the signs of the first snow. Others who weren't innate to the land struggled to stay warm and found the cold season more bothersome than fun. This was just Aster's case.
Aster—accompanied by his long-time friend Toothiana—were currently trekking to North's house, which was located on the farther side of the village from their homes. Aster wasn't fond of winter, and he didn't think that he ever would be. Granted, he was from Monrilethel, and the region was blanketed in unending warmth. But one would think that after a decade of living in the northern regions of Norsurberian, Aster would be quite used to the cold. Oddly, this wasn't the case.
Though the air was crisp and the wind was nipping, the sun still glowed at its brightest. Its rays brushed the ground like a mother's gentle hands, sweeping against the white and causing it to glow. The sparkling snow was a wonder to Toothiana. She was from Kalathrai, a place that was prone to rain and humidity. Snow was a magnificent thing to her since she didn't experience it much as a child. The thought of rain—frozen rain!—existed baffled the young Tooth Fairy's mind upon first hearing of such a thing. But when she saw it for herself, Tooth was astonished, and she always looked forward to Santoff Claussen's first snows.
Aster grumbled, kicking a mound of snow that sat in his path. "The sun's out," he said, frowning to himself. "Shouldn't this stuff be meltin' by now?"
Tooth smirked. "It's the beginning of January, Bunny. We still have a long way to go before winter's over."
Aster heaved a sigh. "Just great…we'll be dealin' with this stuff for three more months…If Mother Nature decides ta follow that plan."
"I'm sure she'll have her reasons if winter extends into April," said Tooth. "Or May, June, and July."
"Now that's somethin' that I hope won't happen," stated Aster. Tooth giggled, and the two continued on until they reached North's front door. The ex-Cossack was on the search for materials to spark the inspiration for a new invention. Jack would be staying behind since North wasn't planning on returning until that evening, and the four-year-old would've begun to complain after spending hours riding from market to market.
Tooth wasn't busy and neither was Aster, so they decided to watch Jack together while North was out. Two was better than one, Ombric liked to say, and the Guardians were a rather potent team, both in friendship and Guardianship. While they hadn't been sent on their first mission, each of them had begun training in combat again. Tooth and North hadn't wielded their swords in ten years. Aster couldn't remember the last time he threw a boomerang. Sandy was the only Guardian who wasn't out of practice when it came to fighting, but even he felt somewhat inept compared to Tsar Lunar and his elite troop of Lunarian Soldiers.
As a matter of fact, Sandy had been the most assiduous out of the Guardians. More and more often was he called to Lunslruna Captial in order to meet with the Tsar. The Guardians had only met the man once separately. They had to familiarize themselves with their leader before they could trust him to send them on a mission. While North was the leader of the Guardians of Childhood, he was like the first mate to the captain of a ship. Tsar Lunar was the one who gave out the orders, North guided the Guardians into executing them. Even he hardly knew the revered Tsar of Lunslruna. Sandy was the only one who knew what he was truly like.
The Sandman reassured the Guardians that Tsar Lunar had a kind heart, and he was concerned for the well-being of everyone in Lunslruna, especially the children. The mysterious attacks that were occurring across Lunslruna were increasing in number, leaving both the Guardians and the rest of the Tsardom deeply worried. But no evidence of Pitch and his Nightmare Army had yet been found. Aster's instincts told him that he and the Guardians would soon be embarking on their first mission…One to stop Pitch's return before he cloaked the world in darkness again. He tried not to think of the Nightmare King ever returning, but since his last attack ten years ago on Santoff Claussen, his Pookan senses had been trained to the earth, where he could feel and hear every being or shadow that walked on its grounds. And every night, Aster could sense activity—ominous activity—coming from the southern direction of Lunslruna. Darksualth.
Aster shook his head, pushing his worries aside. For now, he'd focus on the present. He and the other Guardians could discuss Pitch later. Hopefully, more information pointing to him would appear soon.
Tooth and Aster arrived at North's door, and Tooth knocked. After her pink fist had pulled away, North opened the door. He greeted the Pooka and Sister of Flight with a smile.
"Ah, Tooth! Bunny!" North said jollily. "Come in, come in!"
Aster and Tooth stepped inside. North was dressed in his thick red coat and black fur hat. "I was just about to set off," he explained. "But I had to wait until you two arrived."
Tooth smiled. "Sorry we're a little late." She glanced at Aster. "Someone kept complaining about the snow."
"Oi," Aster said indignantly. "Easy fer ya ta say. Ya were flyin' over the snow! I had ta walk through the cold unlike ya!"
North chuckled. "I am still waiting for moment you will finally be unbothered by cold, Bunny."
Aster flicked an ear. "And just like ya when it comes ta ya not callin' me that awful nickname, it'll never happen."
North smirked, and he looked around the house. "Jack, I am leaving! Where are you, moy mal'chik?"
"Coming!" Jack called, his light footsteps echoing from the stairs. The winter child hopped down the stairs, his favorite stuffed animal, Wawa, clutched by the paw. He smirked once reached the bottom step and marched his way over to the trio of adults. Jack had grown since Tooth and Aster last saw him. The boy's hair was a bit longer and more bedraggled, and his blue eyes were wild with what only could be described as the spark of mischief. Jack was still rather small for his age, but what he lacked in size he made up with his childish charm. He was four years old now, but like his smile, his traits from when he was a baby still remained.
Jack smiled happily. "Hi, Toothy! Hi, Bunny!" he greeted.
"Hello, Jack!" Tooth smiled. "What have you been up to?"
Jack shrugged. "Nothin' much," he replied. He fiddled with Wawa's ears. "I wanna play in the snow, though."
"Well, we'll see if we can go out later today. How does that sound?" said Tooth. The idea of stepping out into the cold again made Aster inwardly grumble. But Jack was excited, and he bounced on his feet exuberantly.
North chuckled, and he turned to Aster and Tooth. "I should be back this evening if weather does not take turn," he said. "Leftovers are in kitchen, and you can warm them up on stove."
Aster and Tooth nodded. "We'll keep a good eye on Jack, mate," reassured Aster.
"I know you will," said North. The ex-Cossack bent down and gave Jack a hug, which the young snow sprite lovingly returned. Quietly, he wasn't too happy about North leaving. Jack wanted to go with him, but he knew that North knew best, and he didn't feel like traveling all over Norsurberian anyway. Regardless, Jack wanted North near at all times, but the ex-Cossack promised that he'd be back, so the winter child didn't throw a fit.
North said goodbye to Tooth and Aster, and headed out the door. The Pooka, Sister of Flight, and snow sprite watched as North climbed into his sleigh, snapped at the reigns, and dashed out of the village to wherever market he had in mind. Tooth rubbed her arm as she watched the red sleigh fade away.
"I wonder which market he's stopping at first," she mused out loud.
"He said he'll be stickin' with the ones within Norsurberian's borders," replied Aster. Jack poked at his side and Aster playfully poked him back. Jack giggled. "I don't think North will wander too far."
Tooth nodded, but she appeared to be worried. "Trade stations and markets are one of the main hotspots for the strange attacks that have been occurring. I hope North will stay safe."
"Ya have nothin' ta worry about, sheila," Aster reassured, but deep down, he was concerned for North too. "North carries swords with him everywhere. And he could probably whip up a contraption that would knock an enemy out in seconds."
Tooth smiled. "You do have a point."
As Tooth and Aster discussed, Jack grew bored of the conversation. He looked out the door, which was still open, where the remarkable winter view of Santoff Claussen lay before him. The village was blanketed in glittering white, and the wind whistled softly, seemingly beckoning Jack to come out. It was a perfect winter's day, and Jack could no longer resist. He had to go out. He needed to go outside and play.
Jack toddled his way outside, but he only made it to the porch when he felt Aster's strong paws pull him back inside.
"Not on my watch, mate," Aster chided. Jack frowned, and Tooth giggled.
"Maybe we should find something fun to do," she said. "Before Jack gets any more ideas of escape."
"Good idea," said Aster. He set Jack down, and Tooth kneeled before him.
"So, what would you like to do first? You have us all to yourself," said Tooth.
Jack tapped his chin, humming in thought. An impish smile crawled onto his face, and Tooth and Aster knew that an imaginary adventure was about to begin.
…
Tooth and Aster found themselves doing anything and everything with the winter child during their first hour with him. They played whatever game he came up with—Jack had suddenly declared that they were explorers in a jungle, and the living room was flooding with swamp water. The expedition grew even more thrilling when the imaginary alligator boat chase began. Apparently, the only way to fend them off was with feathers…the swamp gators of Xiali were rather ticklish creatures indeed.
At the end of the chase, Tooth, Aster, and Jack collapsed into the center of the rug in a fit of laughter. Jack had a fantastical imagination, and Tooth and Aster couldn't remember the last time they had ever played pretend.
The next game they engaged in, however, was a game that had already been invented: hide and seek. Jack loved hide and seek, and Tooth and Aster could remember back to his early years that the winter child had a fondness for hiding and being found. Jack was a spectacular hider—his small size benefitted him when it came to hiding in small spaces. He was a swell seeker too. His enhanced hearing made it almost impossible to go undetected by him. By the time Jack had found Toothiana and Aster again, lunchtime had arrived.
The three-headed into the kitchen, and Tooth placed Jack in his highchair. The winter child watched as Aster and Tooth prepared lunch.
"So, what are we having?" asked Tooth, placing a bowl on the table.
"Leftover vegetables and mashed potatoes it seems," Aster answered, already heating said meals on the stove. "I'll get this stuff warmed up while ya take the bowls and things out."
Tooth placed two more bowls on the table and placed spoons inside. Aster set the food down next to the waiting dishes, and Tooth spooned an even amount of food into all three of the bowls. As she and Aster sat down, Jack asked, "When's North coming back?"
"He said he'd be back later this evening, sweetie," replied Tooth.
"Oh," said Jack. He frowned. "That's really far."
"Not really," said Aster. "We can find ways ta pass the time."
The Pooka took Jack's spoon and lifted it to his mouth, a spoonful of mashed potatoes sat upon it. Jack looked at the potatoes briefly, and he turned away with a pout.
"This again, mate?" exclaimed Aster. "Didn't ya have this last night? What's wrong with it now?" He pushed the spoon in Jack's direction again, but the winter child refused. Aster scowled.
Tooth smiled, and she took the spoon out of Aster's paw. "Here, let me try." She turned to Jack and waved the spoon of potatoes in front of him. "Jack, look! It's a train looking for it's station! Does it go…here?"
Tooth lifted the spoon to Jack's head, and the winter child giggled.
"No," he said.
"Oh, silly me! It obviously goes here," Tooth pointed the spoon at Jack's chest, and he laughed.
"No!" he said.
"Ah, of course, you're right! Trains go in here," Tooth held the spoon up to Jack's mouth and he ate the potatoes right off. "Choo-choo!"
Aster scoffed as Jack chewed and swallowed. "Ya know, trains don't really go inside of mouths."
"I know," Tooth chirped. "I just wanted to make it fun for Jack."
"I can't believe it. Jack has favorites," said Aster.
"He doesn't have favorites," Tooth sent another train of mashed potatoes into Jack's mouth and smiled. "Just those he wants to be fed by more than others."
"Favorites," Aster muttered.
Jack only smirked innocently.
…
After lunch was eaten and the plates cleared, Aster, Tooth, and Jack headed to the living room. Aster needed to start planning his next painting, so he contently sat on the couch and sketched while Tooth played with Jack. But the winter child had gotten bored of all the games they had played, and he yearned to play outside. Unfortunately, it had begun to snow heavily, making it difficult to see and risky to play out in the open.
"I'm sorry, Jack, but it's just too dangerous to play outside right now," Tooth said. Jack pouted and he crossed his arms, turning away. Tooth placed her hand on his shoulder. "Is there anything else you'd like to do? Why don't we bring out some more of your toys?"
Jack hugged Wawa and sighed. "Okay…"
Tooth smiled. There was a chest of games and toys that Jack had sitting at the foot of his bed. She decided to head upstairs and bring the chest down so Jack could pick which ones he'd like to fiddle with.
"I'll be right back," said Toothiana. "Watch Jack for me, Bunny."
Aster hummed in reply, his spring-green eyes glued to his sketchbook. Tooth fluttered upstairs to grab Jack's toy chest. The trip didn't last long, only a minute or two. Tooth didn't think anything could happen during that short period. She was proven wrong, though, when she returned downstairs, blue toy chest in hand, finding Aster frantically searching the room. He seemed panicked, and though she knew not the reason why he was distressed, Tooth felt her worry grow.
"Bunny, what's wrong?" Tooth asked. She looked around. Jack was nowhere to be seen.
"It's Jack!" Aster exclaimed. His whiskers twitched. "He's gone!"
Tooth was shocked. "He's what?!"
"He's gone, shelia!" the Pooka repeated, searching desperately for the white-haired boy who had been with him just moments ago. "I turn around for one bloody second, and he runs off!"
Tooth set the toy chest down and searched along with Aster. Worry gripped her insides. What would North think when he got home and found Jack missing? And where had the young child run off to?
"You should've paid more attention to him!" Tooth chided after looking in the living room again.
"I only turned away for a few moments. I didn't think he'd bolt!" Aster said.
Tooth sighed, and she rubbed her temples. "Well, we should think about where Jack would most likely go. Those are the places we should search through first."
And so the two checked the study, where he and North spent lots of time in, but he wasn't there. They searched the bedrooms, but the winter child wasn't present. They looked through the kitchen, and the bathroom, and even probed the living room once more, but it seemed as if Jack had so suddenly disappeared.
"I don't know where else to look" said Tooth, her feathers twitching nervously. "Where else could Jack have possibly gone? He wouldn't just run away!"
Suddenly, Aster's ears shot up, and remembrance flashed across his face. "Wait! Remember how the bugger said he wanted ta go outside?"
Tooth's eyes widened and her feathers burst in all directions. "Of course! The backdoor's always unlocked…Come on! Let's check right now!"
Tooth dashed to the back of the house, faster than a flash of light. Aster was right on her feathers as she pulled open the door, only to be met with thousands of snowflakes. They fell from the sky in a rush, and the wind pulled and whipped them around. Tooth could hardly see a thing; she shivered from the cold.
"Is he out here?" she asked over the wind.
"His scent's strongest here," replied Aster. "But I can't pick up anything beyond the snow!"
"Then we're going to have to go in blind!" said Tooth. And before Aster could protest, she had already dived into the snowstorm. Due to her Sister of Flight background, Tooth had amazing eyesight, and she could spot small, minuscule things that others may find imperceptible. Granted, the snow made it extremely difficult to see, but Tooth stayed low to the ground, finding small footprints leading toward the reindeer stables.
"He's this way!" Tooth called to Aster, who was doing his best to follow behind. North's yard wasn't the biggest of big, but it seemed to be as large as the imaginary jungle they had ventured through due to the snow.
Tooth and Aster soon reached the reindeer stables; a lit lantern on the door confirmed their arrival. And sitting on a haybale in front of the building was Jack, huddling against the wall and cuddling Wawa close as he shivered.
"Jack!" Tooth cried, and she rushed up to the boy and enveloped him in a hug. Jack was surprised, but it faded as he buried himself into Tooth's loving embrace.
"We were so worried about you!" Tooth gushed. She pulled the boy away and frowned disapprovingly. "What were you thinking coming out here all on your own?"
Jack sniffed. "M-M'sorry…" he apologized. "I-I just wanted t-to play in the s-snow…But then I c-couldn't find my way b-back."
"Ya shouldn't have wandered off, mate," Aster said. "It's dangerous ta play in this weather."
"I-I know…" Jack shivered and sneezed. The wind howled and the blur of snowflakes grew thicker. Tooth's feathers and Aster's fur ruffled from the cold.
"Let's head back inside," said Aster. "We need ta get ya warmed up before that cold gets serious."
Jack leaned against Tooth and closed his eyes as she and Aster walked back to the door.
…
Little Jack was exhausted after his unexpected escapade outdoors. By the time he had finished his cup of warm milk and biscuits, he promptly fell asleep in Tooth's arms. A soothing fire crackled in the hearth, and Tooth sat in a chair near the fireplace, cradling Jack in her arms. The winter child snored lightly, cuddling his stuffed arctic fox close as he slept on. Tooth wove her hand through his hair.
"We won't have trouble watching him now that he's asleep," Tooth remarked softly.
Aster chuckled. "No matter how hyper Frostbite is, he still sleeps like a log."
Tooth nodded, and the gentle sounds of the fireplace took over. A few more moments of silence passed until Tooth asked, "Sometimes I wonder…What would've happened if North hadn't found Jack? Not saying that he never would've, but…just what if?"
Aster shrugged, still sketching in his sketchbook. "Someone else might have found him, I guess. Although, probably not as kind as North. Jack would've lasted a few more days in the cold thanks to his increased resistance ta it, but it's good that North found 'im when he did."
"You seem to know a lot about snow sprites," Tooth remarked.
"Yeah, well, we used ta get snow sprite visitors ta treat back in Gladsteryen," said Aster.
"What were they like?" questioned Tooth.
Aster looked up from his sketchbook and thought for a moment.
"It's been a while since I've last encountered one, so I don't remember everythin'," he answered. "But I do know that they were pretty reserved. Regardless, they still struck up a conversation. A lot of them were actually really kind. Kinder than most people I've seen. I don't know where the heck people got the idea of them bein' murderers or demons."
Tooth sighed. "It's really unfair," she said. "Snow sprites don't deserve such an awful stereotype. Sure, there may have been a few bad apples, but that doesn't mean all of them are rotten…"
"Humans can be that way," said Aster.
"Not all of them," Tooth countered. "Santoff Claussen's accepted Jack."
"After they tried ta kick him out," Aster stated curtly.
Tooth winced. "It was a rocky start, but things turned out right in the end. They just needed to take the time to get to know Jack. I'm sure once people meet him, they'll be more welcoming."
"What are ya sayin'?" asked Aster.
"That perhaps it's time we should think about telling the rest of the Tsardom about Jack," said Tooth. Aster's brow furrowed. "I mean, think about it! If people saw how sweet Jack is, they wouldn't be so afraid of snow sprites. And Jack wouldn't have to hide from the rest of the world anymore."
"We can't strike out that far, shelia," Aster said with a frown. "There's still controversy floatin' around. One mishap and everyone will be back ta preachin' about how snow sprites are evil and soulless again."
"I-I know," said Tooth, a sigh slipping past her lips. "But I just—"
Tooth felt Jack shift in her arms. She looked down, watching as Jack turned and huddled against her chest. He let out a soft sigh, and his lips twitched into a sleepy smile. Tooth gently wove her hand through his hair again. Her amethyst eyes flickered with wistfulness.
"I just want him to be accepted. And loved," Tooth whispered. "To be able to be who he wants to be without fear of being judged."
Aster sighed. "We do love Jack. And one day he'll be introduced ta the rest of Lunslruna. But we have ta take this slow. With all the fuss over snow sprites and these attacks that may be being caused by Pitch buzzin' around, the people are wary. Now isn't a good time ta suddenly bring a snow sprite out of the shadows."
Tooth nodded. "You're right," she agreed. The Tooth Fairy fluttered out of her chair, holding Jack. "We should probably tuck Jack into bed."
"I'll take him," Aster said. He took Jack from Tooth's arms. The winter child stirred, but he sunk into slumber again. Aster looked at the boy. "We can wake 'im up once North comes back."
Tooth watched as Aster carried Jack upstairs. She sighed and turned toward the window. The snow had calmed, and the wind no longer screamed in outrage. Tooth pursed her lips, wishing that people's outlook on snow sprites could settle just as fast as the storm.
…
Jack had woken up earlier than expected, so Aster and Tooth played with him until North returned. The red sleigh was covered in snow, but North was still as jolly as ever. The back of the sleigh was filled with gears and bolts. Bits and pieces. Odds and ends. Thingies and knickknacks. Jack couldn't name most of the materials laying in the back of the sleigh. He didn't lie on this thought for long, since he was happy to see North again.
North was glad to hear that Jack had fun and behaved well… except for his running out into the snow alone. North lightly chided Jack for running off, but the winter child promised he'd never do so again.
"So, how'd the trip go?" asked Aster.
"Pretty well," North replied cheerfully. "I feared that snow would last for a while, but it did not thank Manny. I just need to carry these things to the back, and then I will be done for the day."
"We'll help you," said Tooth. And so she, North, and Aster began to carry things inside. Halfway into putting the new materials away, Jack disappeared again.
"Hey…where did Jack go?" asked Aster.
"Jack?" North called. Tooth looked around. When the boy didn't respond, the three panicked until Jack came running inside, holding a small box.
"You forgot one!" he said with a smile. North, Aster, and Tooth smiled and laughed.
Author's Note: Ehhhh, I didn't know what to do with the endfor this one. XD But don't worry, not every chapter will end with smiling and laughing because, well, that's boring. QwQ I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I hope to see you in the next one! =D
Until the next chapter!
~BeyondTheMoon1203
