"Lord Frost is here!"
The only thing that saves the guardians from a wave of small ice spirits running towards them is Jack catching most of them in his arms as they jump up on him. They're small enough that he's not completely overwhelmed, only about a foot tall each, but there's enough of them that Jack is still knocked down.
"Hey, guys! How have you- hey that tickles! been?" Jack smiles at them, carefully sitting up and moving some of the spirits off of him. Then, almost as if it's an afterthought, "I thought I told you not to call me Lord!"
The spirits giggle, settling down to rest on or near Jack. One of them speaks up from their place on his head. "We are doing good! There hasn't been an attack in ages!"
Jack's face flashes momentarily, before settling back into an easy grin. "That's great! How are Neve, Lumi, and Noelle doing?"
The spirits grow more excited, starting to jump around a bit. "Noelle woke up for a bit yesterday! And Lumi stopped having nightmares with Pitch's help!"
The guardians jump at the mention of Pitch, starting to speak before Jack elbows them. The spirits are oblivious to the suddenly tense air, laughing and tugging at Jack's clothes and hair.
"Who're they?" one asks, pointing towards the guardians. "They don't look of winter."
"That's because they're not, Aspen. They're my friends. I brought them here to help us." Jack smiles at them, carefully setting the ones perched on him down. "Why don't you guys go play with Boreas. He's always to grumpy, maybe you can cheer him up?"
They get excited, jumping up and down. "Yes, that's a great idea!" "Uncle is always to sad and grumpy!" "We have to cheer him up!"
"Have fun!" Jack calls after them, waiting until they disappear around a corner to turn back towards the guardians. "Pitch is a guest here, as are you. Discussion closed. There will be no conflict, understand?"
"But-" Bunny starts, only to be interrupted.
"No buts. He is here because he is willing to help and has agreed to a specific set of rules. Everything has been taken care of. I don't care what sort of history you have with him, you are all guests here, all welcome here, and you will follow the rules set." He takes a deep breath. "Now, I think it's time to introduce you to the court."
Tooth falters. "The Winter Court? Is that a good idea?"
"You wanted to help, right? This is how you help. But aside the stereotypes and cliches, forget the rumors. This is the best way to have you help us."
"Us includes… who exactly?"
"The winter spirits. The dark ones. The reapers. The spirits that have been disgraced, cast out."
Sandy flashes pictures, a question mark and a outline of a goal.
"We're trying to solve a problem here, but it's a big problem, and we're running out of ideas. Our reputations aren't the best, and we have trouble gaining sympathy. We're all afraid, but some of us are finally able to make a difference."
The others go to protest, but Jack shushes them, pulling them aside. "Listen, you're gonna see people that you don't like here. They're all my guests, you're my guests, and you can trust everyone here to not kill you. I trust half of them with my life, and the other half I know would never abandon me. Alright? Don't pick fights, you'll be fine. Save your questions for later."
"Jack," Tooth says, glancing around the corner and lowering her voice. "Who exactly is here?"
"Don't worry about it, you should see them soon enough. Most of them hate you guys, but none will attack or even indirectly provoke you. Just don't say- or sign- anything, alright?"
"We're meeting them?"
"Yea, a meeting's in about five minutes, and I got to take you with me. No offense, but I don't trust you guys to roam around here and not get yourselves in trouble."